Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Melini is coming to Dhaka on August 30. His visit will be the first visit by a top European leader during the interim government's tenure. The day after the visit, on August 31, his meeting with Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus will be held.

Sources said that the meeting will focus on four issues: migration, trade and investment, security and defense cooperation. The Italian Prime Minister is likely to leave Dhaka on the same day after the meeting, after private discussions and lunch.

Earlier, the then Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi visited Dhaka in January 1998. That was the first visit to Bangladesh by an Italian Prime Minister.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) titled 'Migration and Mobility' was signed between Bangladesh and Italy in May this year. Its aim is to prevent illegal migration and ensure safe and regular migration.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Bangladesh by Expatriate Welfare Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul, and on behalf of Italy by Home Minister Matteo Piantedossi.

According to the agreement, Italy will take two types of workers - 'seasonal' and 'non-seasonal'. Italy's interior minister said, 'We always encourage workers to come legally. This agreement will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.'

Currently, the bilateral trade volume between Bangladesh and Italy is about $1.5 billion. In addition to ready-made garments, Bangladesh also exports leather products.