Cargo flights will launched at Osmani Airport.
Cargo exports via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are a cause of suffering for traders. Keeping them in mind and with an eye on increasing customs revenue, the CAA has completed all preparations for exporting cargo through Sylhet Osmani Airport. If the cargo flights are launched, goods will go directly to Europe through this airport.
But it has not been possible so far to start exporting due to not coming forward from traders. Many traders do not even know the matter, say those concerned. Last week, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Nasreen Jahan held a meeting regarding the launch of export cargo from Osmani Airport through Sylhet District Commissioner and other concerned parties.
The meeting was instructed to ensure two explosive detection machines for exporting cargo. It sent a letter to the Home Ministry for the deployment of explosive detection dogs, for quick activation of the so-far inactive X-ray machine, and to complete all the preparations including security and training by December 24.
Traders say that exporting cargo through Shahjalal International Airport is being hampered due to the delay in pace. This is causing financial losses for them. Even with more money, exports cannot be made on time. Due to the inadequacy of facilities at Shahjalal, although there are 8 cargo airlines operating in the country, exporters send a large part of the cargo by road to Indian airports for processing and shipment. Cargo export fees to Bangladesh are also higher than those of other countries. They demanded a reduction in the fees.
An official at Sylhet Airport said, “We are ready to export cargo. An X-ray machine is operational. If traders and buyers want, it is possible to export today. Traders are being informed about the matter.”
Osmani Airport Director Mohammad Hafizur Rahman said, “The Civil Aviation Authority and Osmani Airport have completed all the activities for cargo export. Those who will export will have to come forward.”. In all, the dog squad requires a lot of things to be done: authority, certificates, training, among many other things. So all this will take time to do. One of the two EDS machines with us has been put into operation. The secretary has also organized a meeting to motivate people who are interested. The Customs Department said they were also ready. Now the ones who will export shall have to come forward. Many things are needed to keep something running. It is an ongoing process. Many are showing interest, many have also started work. It will depend on those who will send goods when cargo will be exported from here.
Former member of the BAC (Security) Air Commodore Mohammad Naimuzzaman Khan said, a high-level team led by the secretary has visited Osmani Airport to start it. Then, some instructions were given, they are implementing those. I am hoping that very soon I would be able to export. The export of cargo will start at the end of this month or early next month. Businessmen, administration, BAC, and airlines-the all want to export cargo quickly. It will start only after coordination among everybody.
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