Industries, Commerce, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has called for customs and other related services to remain operational during weekly holidays until a lasting solution is found to the persistent cargo congestion at the country's main international airport.
Addressing a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday as chief guest, the minister said limited operations on Fridays and Saturdays are hampering efforts to reduce the growing backlog of cargo at the airport.
The meeting reviewed challenges in cargo handling and explored possible remedies as part of ongoing initiatives to address non-tariff barriers highlighted by the European Union (EU) in its trade and investment engagement with Bangladesh.
Muktadir emphasised that an airport is designed to facilitate the swift movement of goods rather than serve as a storage facility. The prolonged retention of cargo, he noted, has created severe operational bottlenecks and intensified congestion.
To tackle the problem, he underscored the importance of establishing a dedicated cargo village outside the airport, equipped with modern and secure warehousing facilities.
Future planning, he said, must consider projected cargo demand over the next decade and incorporate separate handling systems for hazardous and non-hazardous materials, as well as for fast-moving and slow-moving goods.
Officials at the meeting observed that although almost the same volume of cargo arriving each day is being cleared, the accumulated backlog is declining only marginally. Limited weekend operations were identified as one of the principal reasons for the slow progress.
The minister said both immediate and long-term measures are being pursued and expressed optimism that stakeholders are demonstrating a constructive approach towards resolving the issue. Another meeting has been scheduled for next week to review operational data and determine further actions.
Warning of the broader implications, Muktadir said airport cargo handling often provides the first impression foreign buyers and investors receive about Bangladesh and stressed that the situation must be resolved without delay to safeguard the country's reputation.
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam said the congestion is not only disrupting business activities but also damaging Bangladesh's international image. She urged all relevant agencies to demonstrate visible improvements within seven days and called for the swift disposal of detained goods alongside the expansion of alternative storage facilities to ease pressure on the airport.
Representatives from government agencies, business organisations, customs authorities and cargo operators attended the meeting, which was chaired by Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan.
