FBCCI team off to Italy

A high-profile 73-member Bangladesh business delegation, led by Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI), left the city for Italy Wednesday morning as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's entourage, reports UNB.

Sheikh Hasina flew to the Italian city of Milan on a four-day visit to attend the 10th summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

The FBCCI delegation members include its first vice president Monwara Hakim Ali and vice president Mohammad Helal Uddin.

During the tour, the Bangladesh business team will exchange views with the local businessmen and entrepreneurs aiming to boost trade and commerce between the two countries.

The delegation members will also seek more investment for Bangladesh alongside further strengthening the economic and commercial ties between Bangladesh and Italy.

Bangladesh's major exportable items to Italy are : RMG and machinery, agro-products, raw jute and jute-made goods and leather goods, while Bangladesh imports chemical, medical, plastic and vehicle machinery from the European country.

During the tour, Sheikh Hasina will attend the opening ceremony of the ASEM 10. She will deliver her speech at the second plenary session 'Europe - Asia partnership in addressing global matters in an inter-connected world'.

She will also hold meetings with her Italian, Swedish and Dutch counterparts Mattero Renzi, Stefan Lofven and Mark Rutte.

The business team is expected to return home on October 18.