Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday invited Italian commercial companies to explore and extract oil and gas resources in Bangladesh’s coastal areas as the two countries discussed strengthening parliamentary and economic cooperation.

Hafiz came up with the offer when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on him at the Speaker’s office in Dhaka, said a press release.

The speaker said Bangladesh and Italy have longstanding friendly relations, noting that Italy recognised Bangladesh in 1972, soon after the independence.

He said Italy has consistently shown generosity towards Bangladeshi migrants and remains one of the major destinations for Bangladeshi export products among European Union countries.

Hafiz said Bangladesh has resumed its journey towards democracy through the national parliamentary election in February last, while the expansion of parliamentary democracy has further strengthened the country’s relations with democratic nations worldwide.

He appreciated Italy’s efforts to promote safe and legal migration of Bangladeshi workers and its financial assistance to Bangladesh for addressing the Rohingya issue.

The speaker also described Italy as an important commercial partner in supplying defence equipment to Bangladesh. He said Italian machinery and equipment have a significant presence in the Bangladeshi market.

He expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Italy would expand further on a strategic basis.

The Italian ambassador said Bangladesh remains an old friend of Italy and that the Italian government strongly supports Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

He expressed Italy’s interest in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy through the formation of a Bangladesh-Italy parliamentary friendship group and exchanges of parliamentary delegations.

The ambassador said Bangladesh exports large quantities of ready-made garments, leather goods and ceramic products to Italy every year.

During the meeting, both sides emphasised the formation of a parliamentary friendship group, resolving the ongoing Rohingya crisis and exploring oil and gas in Bangladesh’s coastal areas to help address the country’s energy needs.

They also discussed the exploration and drilling of oil and gas wells in the coastal region.

The speaker invited Italian commercial companies to participate in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas resources available in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.

Diplomatic representatives of the Italian Embassy and relevant officials of the Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.