Bangladesh urges Europe to withdraw high risk cargo status

Bangladesh has urged the European Union (EU) to take steps to withdraw the High Risk Cargo and Mail (HRCM) status imposed on 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 in the capital, according to a ministry press release.

Millat said the EU imposed the HRCM status on Bangladesh in 2017, resulting in increased time and costs for cargo handling.

He said the government, immediately after assuming office, initiated measures aimed at securing 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, he said.

The minister said 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, the two sides also discussed ways to further strengthen Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations as well as the process of procuring Airbus aircraft for modernising the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Millat said Biman is currently facing a shortage of aircraft and the government is taking urgent steps to add new aircraft to its fleet.

He said any aircraft procurement would be carried out maintaining transparency and accountability, adding that the government would purchase aircraft in light of recommendations of the High-Level Negotiation Committee.

The British High Commissioner said UK investors are interested in investing in Bangladesh’s growing hospitality sector and expressed her country’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s efforts to develop itself as an aviation hub.

The meeting also discussed Menzies Aviation’s interest in working with Biman Bangladesh Airlines in ground-handling operations at the Third Terminal of the HSIA.