Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday appreciated the Mayor of Rome for supporting the Bangladeshi community, stating that their successful cultural integration and contributions both to Italian society and the Bangladeshi economy.
"Thank you for taking good care of the Bangladeshi migrants," Prof Muhammad Yunus said during a meeting with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, at his office.
He said the Bangladeshi migrants in Italy are contributing to the host economy and the country back home by sending vital remittances.
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"They are now culturally integrated here. Many chefs in the top Italian restaurants are from Bangladesh," Prof Yunus said.
Mayor Gualtieri also commended the Bangladeshi diaspora for their positive role in Rome’s multicultural landscape, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.
He warmly welcomed Prof Yunus to his office, located amidst the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire, dating back to the era of Julius Caesar.
From his balcony, he offered the Chief Adviser a brief tour of the historic Roman Senate and surrounding archaeological sites.
The Mayor also presented a commemorative plaque to Prof Muhammad Yunus during a meeting at his office.
The plaque features a carved image of the Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius and has recently been gifted to several world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During their bilateral meeting, the two leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cultural ties between Rome and Bangladesh, especially considering the presence of over 50,000 Bangladeshi nationals living in the Italian capital.
Their discussions further touched on topics like Bangladesh’s upcoming national election, safe migration and the possibility of a future visit to Bangladesh by the Italian Prime Minister.
Also present at the meeting were SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Italy Rokebul Haque.