Bangladesh has expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Italy in fisheries and livestock, particularly in aquaculture, livestock production, marine fisheries and the blue economy.The issue was discussed at a bilateral meeting between State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, MP, and Italian Undersecretary of State for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests Luigi D’Eramo in Rome on Monday September 21.
Speaking at the meeting, Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the fisheries and livestock sectors play an important role in ensuring food security, nutrition, employment and livelihoods in Bangladesh.
He said fish and livestock farmers will soon be brought under the government’s “Farmer Card” scheme, allowing them to receive government incentives similar to crop farmers.
The state minister also said Bangladesh wants to build a sustainable, climate-resilient and technology-driven aquaculture sector. He expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Italy through technology transfer, research, specialised training and knowledge exchange.
Both sides expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in fisheries, livestock and the blue economy. They also agreed to hold further official-level discussions to initiate the necessary procedures.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy A. T. M. Rokibul Haque, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md. Saiful Islam and Economic Counsellor Md. Al Amin were present at the meeting.
FP/R 
