Italy has adopted a cooperation project to extend supports to strengthen migration management for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
The contribution amounting to US $3.0 million will focus on ensuring safe migration through information dissemination, reintegration assistance for those who return to Bangladesh under the EU-supported Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, and climate change affected communities by addressing their socio-economic needs, said Enrico Nunziata, Italian Ambassador in Dhaka.
The project will be implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh.
To recognise the cooperation, a joint event to brief the press was organised at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) in the city on Monday, said a press release.
Ambassador Nunziata, speaking at the event stated that the government of Italy is pleased to support migration management and reintegration programme in Bangladesh.
The envoy expressed his hope that this intervention is the beginning of longer-term cooperation with Bangladesh on migration programming.
The event brought together high-level representatives from the MoEWOE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and the Embassy of Italy and IOM.
Speaking at the event, Imran Ahmad, minister for the MoEWOE, noted that the ministry welcomes all partners eager to support facilitating safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration including reintegration and welfare services to the migrants and returnees in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
He emphasised and called upon all stakeholders to take a collective approach to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration.
Secretary of MoEWOE, Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, stated that the government is committed to implementing and achieving the SDGs including target 10.7 on the facilitation of safe, orderly and responsible migration.
At the event, IOM Bangladesh's Chief of Mission, Abdusattor Esoev, reiterated the importance of improved migration management and adopting a holistic approach across the entire migration cycle.
