Home Minister Meets Italian Ambassador: Focus on Safe Migration and New Policies

The remark came during a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro, at the Secretariat on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The discussions centered on ensuring safe migration, expanding the bilateral labor market, and the recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi workers.

The Home Minister emphasized that the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy plays a crucial role in the national economy through significant remittance inflows. Consequently, Bangladesh views its relationship with Italy with utmost importance.

New Migration Policy from June During the meeting, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro informed the Minister that the current Italian government is deeply committed to ensuring legal migration routes while strictly curbing illegal immigration. He shared a key policy update: a new migration policy is set to take effect in Italy starting this June.

According to the Ambassador, this upcoming policy aims to:

• Simplify Legal Entry: Make the process of migrating for work easier and more accessible for skilled laborers.

• Accelerate Repatriation: Expedite the return process for those entering the country through illegal channels.

The Ambassador also noted that preparations are underway to host the next meeting of the "Joint Working Group" in Italy, following their successful session held in Bangladesh last July.

The dialogue extended to bilateral security issues, law enforcement cooperation, and broader economic interests. Ambassador Alessandro presented a formal congratulatory letter from the Italian Interior Minister to Salahuddin Ahmed and extended an official invitation for him to visit Italy. The Home Minister accepted the invitation, indicating he would visit Italy at a convenient time later this year.

Diplomatic analysts believe that strengthening ties with Italy is strategically significant for Bangladesh. As a prominent NATO-member state and a key voice in the EU, Italy’s cooperation in security and labor migration provides Bangladesh with a stronger foothold in the international arena and ensures the protection of its citizens' interests abroad.