EAB chief flags security risks at Shahjalal Airport after fire

Mohammad Hatem, president of the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB), has said that businessmen, export-oriented industries, and foreign buyers are concerned over the recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

He stated that such incidents clearly indicate that the security system at the Cargo Village is inadequate and pose a serious safety risk. He also warned that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport itself is at security risk.

Hatem made the remarks at a press conference organised by the EAB at a hotel in Karwan Bazar on Monday (October 20), following the fire at the Cargo Village.

He urged the authorities to ensure the speedy settlement of insurance claims for damaged goods and called for the creation of a special government fund to provide compensation and assistance for businesses or individuals whose goods were uninsured. He also emphasized the need for the modernization and expansion of the Cargo Village with enhanced safety measures.

Additionally, Hatem highlighted the need for a separate, modern, air-conditioned warehouse for the pharmaceutical industry, the safe relocation of chemical warehouses to a secure distance, and full automation of warehouse management at the Cargo Village using advanced technology.

He said the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Customs House, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines cannot avoid responsibility for the incident. He noted that CAAB owns the Cargo Village, Customs supervises imported goods, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines acts as the handling agent.