The European Union has put Bangladesh on the list of high-risk countries in terms of operating cargo services by air and sea to the EU countries, said sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.
Officials at the CAAB and the civil aviation ministry ruled out the possibility of any adverse impact of the EU restriction but SM Jahangir Hossain, president of Bangladesh Fruits Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association, said the news came as a major blow for them as export costs will increase significantly.
EU Ambassador in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon disclosed the decision at a meeting with CAAB Chairman Air Vice-Marshal Ehsanul Gani Chowdhury at the latter's office yesterday, meeting sources told The Daily Star.
To get its name dropped from the list, Bangladesh first has to ensure screening through bomb detection dogs or equipment before loading goods in aircraft, sources quoted the EU envoy as saying at the meeting.
Pierre Mayaudon also told the CAAB chief that the EU will send its aviation security team for inspection if Dhaka introduces the necessary security equipment at the airport and informs them about it, according to the director of Shahjalal airport, who was present at the meeting.
source: thedailystar.net
