Bangladesh businesses urge quick solution of UK’s and Australia’s ban on direct air cargo flight
DHAKA, March 13 (NsNewsWire) –The UK government bans air cargo directly from Dhaka citing Bangladesh’s failure to meet
international security requirements.
The announcement of ban came on 8th March 2016 by the UK government authority.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the only national flag carrier carries cargo directly to the UK in its four weekly passenger flights. On an average 25 tonnes of cargo containing mostly apparels, vegetables and agro-products is flown to UK in each flight.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) thinks that this ban will have a serious impact of our export to UK the 3rd largest
garment export destination after Germany. DCCI is deeply concerned over the decision of
UK. Meanwhile, on December 19, 2015 Australia also banned direct air cargo flight from
Bangladesh citing the same concern.
The total export and import volume of Bangladesh with UK during the year 2014-15 was
US$3205.45 million and US$330.72 million respectively. This is pertinent to emphasize our
concern as the export basket of Bangladesh includes to large extent RMG products and
frozen fish among others which are likely to be hardest hit by this ban.
DCCI urges the government of Bangladesh to work jointly with UK and Australia to improve
the overall security requirements. DCCI feels that if this ban is not lifted soon Bangladeshi
exporters have to export their products through Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand or Dubai
which will definitely increase cost of doing businesses and time.
For better security arrangements, government should look into the matter now with serious
concern, DCCI feels. In the wake of globalized competitive open market economy we must
not fall back due to security excuses.