Dhaka: Bangladesh has urged the European Union (EU) to take steps to withdraw the High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) status imposed on its aviation exports. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat made the call during a meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat here, according to a ministry press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Millat noted that the EU imposed the HRCM status on Bangladesh in 2017, which has resulted in increased time and costs for cargo handling. The government initiated measures immediately after assuming office to secure the withdrawal of the status. As part of the efforts to strengthen aviation security, steps have been taken to install Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) at airports in accordance with requirements.
The minister highlighted that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet received satisfactory ratings in a recently completed audit. "In view of these developments, the government wants the European Union to take steps towards withdrawing the HRCM status," he said.
During the meeting, discussions also covered ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations and the process of procuring Airbus aircraft for modernising the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Millat mentioned that Biman is currently facing a shortage of aircraft and the government is taking urgent steps to add new aircraft to its fleet. He emphasized that any aircraft procurement would be carried out maintaining transparency and accountability, with purchases made in light of recommendations from the High-Level Negotiation Committee.
The British High Commissioner expressed UK investors' interest in investing in Bangladesh's growing hospitality sector and conveyed her country's readiness to support Bangladesh's efforts to develop itself as an aviation hub. The meeting also touched upon Menzies Aviation's interest in collaborating with Biman Bangladesh Airlines in ground-handling operations at the Third Terminal of the HSIA.