‘Italy to help BD’s Blue Economy through expertise’

The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Benedetto said Italy wants to cooperate Bangladesh in "Blue Economy" apart from RMG and textile sector.

"We want to help Bangladesh in its `Blue Economy` by providing expertise," he said.

The Italian deputy minister said it to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when the former called on her at her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday afternoon, reports agencies.

PM`s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told reporters about the outcome of the meeting.

He said the Italian deputy minister said Italian entrepreneurs want to invest in Bangladesh, but they are concerned about their safety.

Hasina assured him of safety of foreigners in the country by pointing out the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards militancy.

The Italian deputy foreign minister praised Bangladesh`s achievement of 7.11 per cent GDP growth rate in the last fiscal year, describing it as "incredible".

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Italian Ambassador in Dhaka Mario Palma were present at the meeting, among others.