There have no alternative to diversifying RMG products as per the demand of future market to sustain export growth of Bangladesh, said Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro on Wednesday
Mentioning that huge quantity of garment items are exported from Bangladesh to Italy every year, he said Italy is the 7th largest export destination of exporting Bangladesh RMG goods.
The Italian Ambassador made the remarks while exchanging views with the leaders of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) at the Bangabandhu Conference Hall, World Trade Center in Chattogram.
Chamber President Omar Hazzaz presided over the meeting.
Chamber Vice President Raisa Mahbub, Honorary Consul of Italy Mirza Salman Ispahani, Honorary Consul General of Turkey Salahuddin Kasem Khan, CCCI Director Anjan Shekhar Das, Md Rakibur Rahman (Tutul), Mahfuzul Haque Shah, Mohammad Monir Uddin and Omar Muktadir, Chittagong spoke on the occasion. The Italian ambassador said that around 200,000 Bangladeshi workers working with reputation in Italy sent remittances of around 1.2 billion euros last year. Italy needs more skilled manpower.
Skilled and trained manpower will be imported from Bangladesh through legal channels in the future as well. In this case technical training center and management education center can be established jointly to create skilled human resources.
He said, Italy is an environment friendly country. Recently, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh signed the Bio-fuel Initiative at the G20 conference. As a result, the possibility of fuel production from waste will be created in Bangladesh.
In this regard, Italy is interested in providing technical assistance in the production of fuel from waste.
The ambassador pointed out the possibility of Italian businessmen investing in Bangladesh's food processing, machinery, ICT, shipbuilding and infrastructure development sectors.
Chittagong Chamber President Omar Hazzaz said that most of the Bangladeshi products exported to Italy are ready-made garments. Therefore, importance can be given to import of various seasonal fruits including mango, jackfruit, fresh water fish, jute and jute products, leather and leather products, plastic toys and bi-cycles etc. from Bangladesh for export diversification.
Philippine Honorary Consul MA Awal, Chamber Directors AKM Akhtar Hossain, Md Ahid Siraj Chowdhury (Swapan), Zahirul Islam Chowdhury (Alamgir) and Akhtar Uddin Mahmud, business representatives from various sectors and embassy officials were present on the occasion among others.
