Bangladesh fruit & veg exporters losing out amid EU air cargo ban

Exporters are facing extreme difficulties in shipping their goods to the European Union due to a ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to the 28-nation bloc. The EU, the destination for the over 54% of the country's exports, have declared the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport a 'red zone' earlier this month due to insufficient safety and security measures, following the lead of the UK, Australia and Germany.

Following the latest EU decision, which came into effect from June 1, businesses have to get their consignments re-screened at a third airport en route to an EU country.

60 percent of fruit and vegetable and other perishable exports also go to the EU and their exporters are the worst sufferers because of their short shelf-life. Furthermore, the airliners have increased the cargo fares by 10 cents to 12 cents per kilogram because of the need to re-screen them, Rahman said.

“We are losing business everyday,” said Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

To address the situation, the exporters have scheduled a meeting with the aviation minister on Saturday, Rahman said.

Read more at thedailystar.net

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