Bangladesh Seeks To Boost Fisheries, Livestock Cooperation With Italy

🌏 Sultan Salauddin Tuku, state minister for fisheries and livestock, expressed interest in boosting cooperation with Italy in the fisheries and livestock sectors during a meeting with Luigi D'Eramo, Italian undersecretary of state for agriculture, food sovereignty and forests. The meeting was held on the sidelines of an event at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.

📊 Highlighting the pivotal role of the fisheries and livestock sectors in ensuring food security, nutrition, employment, and livelihoods in Bangladesh, the state minister said fish and livestock farmers will soon be brought under the "Farmer Card" scheme, enabling them to receive government incentives and support directly. The Farmer Card expansion to fisheries and livestock farmers represents a meaningful extension of the government's direct support mechanism — previously focused on crop farmers — to the broader agricultural value chain.

📜 Cooperation Areas: Technology, Research, Training

Reaffirming the government's commitment to building a sustainable, climate-resilient, and technology-driven aquaculture ecosystem, the state minister noted that cooperation with Italy could be further expanded through advanced technology transfer, research, specialised training, and the exchange of expertise. Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy ATM Rokibul Haque, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Joint Secretary Md Saiful Islam, and Economic Counsellor Md Al Amin were present, among others.

• 📜 Bangladesh State Minister: Sultan Salauddin Tuku (Fisheries and Livestock)
• 📜 Italian Undersecretary: Luigi D'Eramo (Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, Forests)
• 📍 Meeting venue: FAO headquarters, Rome
• 📜 Cooperation areas: Technology transfer, research, training, expertise exchange
• 📜 Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy: ATM Rokibul Haque

🌏 Strategic Context: Italy-Bangladesh Agricultural Cooperation

For Bangladesh's broader agricultural export diversification agenda, the Italy cooperation push carries strategic significance. Italy is one of Europe's largest markets for fish and seafood — with Italian consumers valuing quality, sustainability and traceability in seafood products. Bangladesh's aquaculture sector — particularly shrimp, prawn and freshwater fish — has export potential to the Italian market if quality, certification and supply chain requirements can be met.

The technology transfer dimension is particularly relevant. Italy has advanced aquaculture technology — including recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), precision feeding, disease management and cold chain logistics — that could meaningfully upgrade Bangladesh's aquaculture productivity and quality standards. Italian research institutions and universities have expertise in fisheries science that could support Bangladesh's capacity building in sustainable aquaculture practices.

The meeting at the FAO headquarters also positions Bangladesh's fisheries cooperation within the multilateral food security framework — connecting the bilateral Italy engagement with the broader FAO agenda on sustainable food systems. For Bangladesh's preparation for LDC graduation, building diversified agricultural partnerships with European countries like Italy creates export market alternatives and technology access channels that will become increasingly important as preferential trade arrangements narrow post-graduation.