"The news of agreement on exchange of workers between Italy and Bangladesh is baseless," said Ambassador Pietro Ballero in a statement read out at a press conference at their Embassy, following a report published in the newspapers.

He also refuted the existence of any organisation or company for channelling workers in the statement read out by Amadeo M of the Italian Embassy.

The statement said the Italian parliament for the first time decided to take 300 Bangladeshis this year.

"In fact, every year the Italian parliament fixes the number of the extra-community citizens, who will have the right to enter Italy for work. This year Bangladesh is allowed to send 300 citizens," the statement said.

"From the quota of 300, Italy is very happy to accept efficient and well-mannered Bangladeshi citizens. But for the moment there is nothing [no agreement]," the Italian envoy said.

He said the Italian Embassy and the Bangladesh government were trying to find out some way to reach an agreement, especially on bilateral readmission.

Ballero said the visa fees for the workers or tourists is Tk 1980, warning the visa applicants of some of the opportunists, who are deceiving people by taking extra money.

Meanwhile, the government in a statement yesterday also said no agreement to export workers to Italy has been signed.

The statement asked the people to refrain from giving money to any broker or recruiting agency. It also said any agreement the with Italian government will be announced publicly.