Welcome to You, Prodi
Italy and its capital city Rome are place names that give an instant tinkle in the Bangladeshi mind. The reasons are quite assorted - from serious to lighthearted. In the first category fall the cultural contributions of Rome together with her sometimes endearing life-like vulnerabilities, her playing host to a sizable Bangladeshi population, the status Italy enjoys as a G-7 country and her robust business sense. The lighter variety of positive vibrations are the country's sleek charm, fruity orchards, rhythmic music, combative soccer etc.
So much for the receptive mood here for the august visit to Bangladesh today of the Italian Prime Minister Professor Romano Prodi. The trip's agenda seem focused on exploring investment opportunities in Bangladesh as part of Rome's new economic strategy to reach out towards Asia which is regarded as the upcoming centre of gravity for the global economy.
Prodi comes heading a 30-member business delegation of big names in automobiles, telecommunications and other fields and evincing keen interest for investment in some core areas of the economy. Of special significance are the possibilities that Italy may seek to establish an exclusive economic zone for relocating some of her textiles and leather (including, hopefully, shoe-making) industries and help us build backward linkages to shore up our fledgling textiles sector and beef up the process of value addition to our readymade garments exports. Italy's investments will be most welcome for setting up a string of small and medium-size industries on collaboration basis in mutually complementary sectors. For us Italy holds a great potential to give a shot in the arms of our telecommunications, road transportation and energy sectors.
We look to Romano Prodi's visit as an invaluable input for strengthening the foundation of a rewarding new era of economic cooperation between our two countries. Bangladesh now has a new profile as part of the prospective sub-regional groupings, something which may not escape the visiting dignitaries' notice.
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