Talks to focus on improving cooperation

Italian Prime Minister Prof Romano Prodi, who arrives here on January 8, will hold official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, reports UNB.

The formal talks between the two Prime Ministers on January 9 are expected to focus on improving political, economic, trade and cultural cooperations between the two countries.

Officials said the two sides would explore newer avenues of cooperation in various fields, including small and medium scale industries, leather and power sectors.

Bilateral trade is currently in favour of Bangladesh which exported garments and leather worth about 207 million US dollars to Italy in fiscal 1996-97.

The Italian Prime Minister, who will be accompanied by his wife Flavia Prodi, will lead a 12-member official delegation. His entourage will include Trade Minister Augusto Fantovzi.

Besides, representatives of about 20 top Italian companies and media people are expected to accompany Prof Prodi.

"His visit to Bangladesh is considered very significant as Italy is pursuing a new strategy towards Asia because of its economic potential," a senior official in the Foreign Office said.

The official said the Italian Prime Minister's visit, the first ever by an Italian head of government to Bangladesh, will give a new impetus to Dhaka-Rome relations.