Play store
Commerce Minister Khandkar Abdul Muktadir has called for the rapid development of necessary infrastructure to resolve longstanding cargo-handling problems at the country’s airports.
He said work on temporary and permanent warehouses should be expedited without getting stuck in lengthy administrative procedures.
The minister made the remarks at a review meeting on Monday (August 17) at the Secretariat on enhancing airport cargo-handling capacity and progress in warehouse construction as part of efforts to expand trade and investment between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU).
Muktadir said the relevant authorities are responsible for developing and managing airport infrastructure, while customs is responsible for ensuring the legality of imported and exported goods, required declarations and documents, and payment of duties.
“Warehouse construction and infrastructure management are not the core responsibilities of customs,” he said.
Once the necessary infrastructure is provided, customs will conduct its operations there, the minister said, stressing that infrastructure-related problems must be resolved quickly to increase cargo-handling capacity.
He said although the issue does not directly fall under the Commerce Ministry, it is closely linked to the country’s trade and export activities. Modern cargo management at airports is particularly important for expanding trade with the EU, he added.
The ministry is therefore ready to provide necessary support to resolve the problem, Muktadir said.
He proposed forming an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, including a representative from the Commerce Ministry if necessary, to expedite the work. Such coordination would help speed up decision-making and implementation, he said.
The minister also stressed the need to quickly identify land and complete necessary arrangements for a temporary warehouse. If land needs to be leased or acquired through other means, a decision should be taken without delay, he said.
“The main objective should be to put the necessary facilities into operation as quickly as possible,” he added.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said the government was working collectively to transform Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a safer, more modern and efficient organisation.
Resolving longstanding technical and infrastructure problems is now a priority, she said, stressing the need to simplify necessary formalities and ensure transparency and accountability while implementing decisions quickly.
The meeting discussed measures to increase airport cargo-handling capacity, speed up cargo clearance and reduce obstacles to trade and business. Progress on both temporary solutions and the construction of permanent warehouses was also reviewed.
Seven potential sites near the airport were discussed for the construction of a temporary warehouse, while four potential sites were considered for a permanent facility.
Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Fahmida Akhter, the managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, and senior officials from the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Bank and relevant ministries attended the meeting.