PM leaves home for Italy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left for Rome this morning on a four-day official visit to Italy and Vatican City.

An Emirates flight carrying the premier and her entourage members departed the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for the Italian capital at 10:00am.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obidul Kader, Chief Whip ASM Firoz and chiefs of three services saw the prime minister off at the airport.

The flight is scheduled to reach Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 6:45pm local time.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Abdus Sobhan Sikder and vice president of IFAD Claudia Richter will receive the premier at the airport.

On her way to Rome, the prime minister will make a stopover in Dubai for nearly two hours.

In Italy the premier will attend the annual governing council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the invitation of IFAD President Gilbert F Houngbo.

At an invitation of Pope Francis, Sheikh Hasina will visit the Holy See (Vatican City) on February 12, 2018 and hold a meeting with the Pope and Secretary State of Vatican City Cardinal Pietro Paroline.

The prime minister will return home in the evening on February 16.