Bangladesh invites Italian investment across key sectors
Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today invited Italian investors to explore burgeoning opportunities in Bangladesh, highlighting the country's readiness for high-potential industrial partnerships.
“Italy was among the first countries to recognize Bangladesh's independence. Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy is playing a vital role in supporting the national economy by sending remittances,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while meeting with Italian Ambassador to Dhaka, Antonio Alessandro at his ministry office in Bangladesh secretariat, said a press release.
During the meeting, the minister underscored the long-standing and historically strong relationship between the two nations.
The minister identified several sectors where Italian expertise and capital could find significant success. Specifically, he pointed to furniture manufacturing, shipbuilding, and leather and leather products as areas with immense potential for growth.
Furthermore, he said, the government is actively seeking foreign investment to reopen closed jute mills, offering a specialized entry point for investors interested in the textile and fiber industry.
A central pillar of the invitation is Bangladesh’s young and skilled workforce, which Minister Muktadir described as a major advantage for any international investor looking for a dynamic labour market.
Ambassador Alessandro expressed Italy's enthusiasm for expanding trade and investment beyond the traditional Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector.
To facilitate this, he announced that an Italian business delegation is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in July to explore these opportunities first-hand.
To ensure long-term stability and ease of doing business, the Ambassador emphasized the necessity of establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations. And developing joint business platforms can also strengthen communication between Bangladeshi and Italian entrepreneurs.
