The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday said that the air cargo ban by UK and Australia would create serious impact on the country’s garment export. The UK government on March 8 announced the latest ban saying Bangladesh failed to meet international security requirements. ‘DCCI thinks that this ban will have a serious impact on our export to UK, the 3rd largest garment export destination after Germany. DCCI is deeply concerned over the decision of UK,’ said a DCCI press release issued on the day. Australia earlier on December 19, 2015 also banned direct air cargo flight from Bangladesh citing the same security concerns. The total export and import volume of Bangladesh with UK during the year 2014-15 was $3,205.45 million and $330.72 million respectively. ‘This is pertinent to emphasise our concern as the export basket of Bangladesh includes to large extent RMG products and frozen fish among others which are likely to be hardest hit by this ban,’ said the DCCI. Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the only national flag carrier, has four weekly passenger flights to UK on an average 25 tonnes of cargo containing mostly apparels, vegetables and agro-products is flown to UK in each flight. DCCI urges the government of Bangladesh to work jointly with UK and Australia to improve the overall security requirements. ‘If this ban is not lifted soon Bangladeshi exporters have to export their products through Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand or Dubai which will definitely increase the cost of doing businesses and time,’ he said. For better security arrangements, government should look into the matter now with serious concern, DCCI feels. In the wake of globalised competitive open market economy we must not fall back due to security excuses.
