DHAKA, July 2, 2026 (BSS) - The "Supporting a Talent Partnership with 
Bangladesh" project to ensure ethical, regular and safe migration of skilled 
workers between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU), has successfully 
completed its second year, with significant progress.

The project, within two years, achieved remarkable progress in preparing 
skilled workers for the European labour market.

Funded by the European Union with a budget of three million Euros and 
receiving technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), 
the project is being implemented from July 1, 2024.

A summary of its overall progress and achievements was recently released to 
mark the completion of its second year.

The project is being implemented under the joint patronage of the Ministry of 
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Technical and Madrasah 
Education Division. 

It is being executed successfully at the field level through the Bureau of 
Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). 

The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), the Directorate of 
Technical Education, the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) and 
BOESL are also serving as partner agencies.

According to the project's progress report published in June 2026, a total of 
698 workers who completed technical training have been officially certified 
as qualified by the National Skills Development Authority in accordance with 
international standards and are prepared for deployment to the European 
labour market.

Continuous communication is being maintained with the Italian Embassy to 
facilitate the deployment of the workers to various sectors in Italy, while 
many of the candidates are currently awaiting interviews.

Speaking at the meeting, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas 
Employment Md Nurul Haque said the Overseas Employment Platform must be 
further strengthened to ensure sustainable and ethical migration. 

He stressed the need to make the platform mobile-friendly at the earliest to 
enhance its effectiveness and accessibility.

The state minister also said that as the workers are being trained according 
to European standards, arrangements should be made to send them not only to 
Italy but also to other European countries. 

ILO Chief Technical Adviser Lotte Keijzer, Additional Secretary of the 
Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Saiful Haque 
Chowdhury, BOESL Managing Director Md Saiful Islam, BMET Director General 
Jamil Ahmed and other senior ministry officials attended the meeting, among 
others.