Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon paid a courtesy call on him at his ministry office with Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro. Photo: PID

DHAKA, May 19, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today urged the Italian government to hire more Bangladeshi migrants workers legally.

He made the call when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on him at his ministry office here this morning.

During the meeting, Swapon said Italy is a popular destination for Bangladeshi migrants. 

Currently, he said, a large number of Bangladeshis are working there with great reputation and are making a significant contribution to the economies of both countries.

The Italian envoy mentioned the long-standing friendly and strong relations between Bangladesh and Italy.

In the meeting, he raised the issue of illegal and risky migration from Bangladesh and other countries to Italy by sea. 

They stressed increasing the manpower export from Bangladesh to Italy through legal means.

In this context, the Italian envoy said the legal migration process from Bangladesh to Italy is successfully going on. 

He said in the past one year, about 20,000 people from Bangladesh have legally migrated to Italy.

Swapon put emphasis on making the relations between the two countries more diverse and stronger.

He proposed to work jointly with the relevant institutions of Italy in the modernisation of mass communication, digital platforms and the broadcasting sector. 

The minister expressed deep interest in 'knowledge exchange’ by utilising Italy's advanced experience and technological capabilities.

Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman and senior officials of the ministry were present.