Bangladesh exporters suffer amid air cargo ban
Meanwhile, the ban has impacted shippers, exporters and freight forwarders as mandatory rescanning in third country has increased transportation costs.
“Every time experts from the UK and Germany come, they say the same thing, that the security measures at the airport have improved significantly but more needs to be done,” said Rashed Khan Menon, minister for civil aviation and tourism.
Six new screening machines will be installed at the airport next month, he said, adding that the civil aviation ministry is in the process of recruiting more staff.
“Millions of dollars have already been spent. We are still continuing our efforts so that the ban is lifted as soon as possible,” Menon added.
In 2016, 29,779 tonnes of cargoes were sent by air to Germany, which is the highest, according to Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA). To the UK, 13,969 tonnes were shipped.
“The ban on direct cargo flights from Bangladesh to the UK and Germany had a disastrous effect on our exports,” said Nurul Amin, director of BAFFA.
source: thedailystar.net
