Dhaka hopes for positive response on cargo ban

Bangladesh is eagerly waiting for a positive announcement during the upcoming visit by the British foreign minister regarding withdrawal of the UK's ban imposed around two years ago on direct air cargo from Dhaka.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and London yesterday confirmed that British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson will pay a two-day official visit to Bangladesh on February 9-10.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, a highly placed source of the government said he is hopeful that there will be a good news when the British minister visits Bangladesh.

The important focus of Boris Johnson visit is to demonstrate solidarity with Bangladesh over the Rohingya issue as the country is severely affected by the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar.

The trip is also expected to further strengthen the closer bilateral relations between Dhaka and London. 

The British government on March 8, 2016 slapped the ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to London after Biman failed to meet some international security requirements.

In addition to the UK, the European Union, where more than 54 percent of Bangladesh's exports are headed, has also declared the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport a “red zone” due to insufficient safety and security measures, following the lead of the UK, Australia and Germany.

With the ban in place, the EU-bound cargo airlines from Bangladesh have to rescreen goods in a third country, preferably Dubai, Qatar, Thailand and India.

The ban caused a huge loss for Bangladesh as Biman was the only carrier that operates direct flights between Dhaka and London and is now running four flights a week.

Before the ban, Biman used to earn Tk 40 lakh to Tk 50 lakh each flight from carrying cargoes. Some 25 to 30 tonnes of goods, mostly apparel and vegetables were shipped in each of the flights to London.

After the ban was imposed, the government appointed British company Redline Aviation Security Limited Seven to meet safety requirements.

Although the British government called for further improvement of the situation, diplomatic sources said the UK and other important Western countries are now satisfied as Bangladesh has made laudable progress in safety and security services at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

As of now, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has set up the ETD (explosives trace detection) and other necessary machines in addition to deployment of the British company for screening of cargo goods.

The British minister during his visit will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other high government officials apart from his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

British Secretary of State Boris Johnson is also expected to visit Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar to see the situation of Myanmar nationals, who fled Rakhine State amid ethnic cleansing.