PM en-route to Rome

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left dhaka for Rome this morning on a four-day official visit to join the meeting of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Prime Minister and her entourage left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:05 am by an Emirates flight. Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali are accompanying the Prime Minister.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obidul Quader, Chief Whip ASM Firoz and chiefs of three services saw the prime minister off at the airport.

The flight is scheduled to reach Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 6:45 pm local time.

UNB added, On Monday morning, the Prime Minister will go to the Vatican City where she will be given audience by Pope Francis after guard of honour there.

She will also have a meeting with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and visit Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica.

In the evening, Hasina will join dinner to be hosted by the Bangladesh Ambassador in Rome. On February 13, the Prime Minister will attend the inaugural session of the Governing Council of IFAD and deliver her keynote paper.

Later, she will attend lunch to be hosted by IFAD President in honour of keynote speakers. In the evening, she will join a community reception arranged by the local unit of Awami League.

The theme of this year's IFAD council is 'From fragility to long-term resilience: Investing in sustainable rural economies.' The governing Council of IFAD is the Fund's principal Governing Body having full decision-making powers.

It consists of all of IFAD's Member States and meets annually. It is attended by the official Member State representatives. Observers are also invited to attend sessions. IFAD has more than 30 years of experience working in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister will leave Rome on the afternoon of February 14 and reach Dhaka on February 15 morning.