Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Newly appointed Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmion called on Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Thursday and discussed Italy’s cooperation in health, capacity building in export, water treatment, ship-building and ship recycling sectors.

The foreign minister recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Italy in November, 2009 to participate in the World Summit on Food Security and also Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Ms. Stefania Craxi’s visit to Bangladesh in May 2010.

Giorgio Guglielmion mentioned that Bangladesh enjoys a favorable trade balance with Italy and friendly investment environment are existing, a foreign ministry announcement said.

Dipu Moni told the Ambassador that the Italian investors could avail the opportunities existing in Bangladesh especially in the EPZs.

She appreciated the recent decision of the Italian Government to allocate new work permits for Bangladesh workers and requested the ambassador to increase Bangladeshi workers quota in general workers, nurse, care-givers categories.

The minister also mentioned that Italian embassy may cooperate with the government to adjust the nurse training facilities in Bangladesh to enable the government to send nurses to Italy.

BBN/SI/AD-13Jan11-10:40 pm (BST)