PM Hasina to visit Italy, meet Pope Francis

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit Italy and Vatican City on February 12-14. The visit was announced at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, read a press release. The premier will visit Italy on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The organization’s president, Gilbert F Houngbo, invited the Bangladeshi prime minister to present the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the event. The premier is also scheduled to meet with Pope Francis during her visit to Vatican City. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury are among the officials accompanying the prime minister during the visit. IFAD has supported Bangladesh for the last 30 years through efforts to uproot poverty and ensure nutrition for the underprivileged. Around 40 million people in Bangladesh have benefitted from the organization’s funds and guidance, read the press release. Notably, the Pope visited Bangladesh from November 30-December 2 last year upon the prime minister’s invitation. The relationship between the two states is expected to be strengthened following Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit. The prime minister will leave for the tour on February 11 and is expected to return to Dhaka on February 15.