A delegation of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) led by BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan visited the scene. During the visit, they met Sheikh Bashiruddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Aviation and Tourism, and expressed the concerns of garment entrepreneurs and sought cooperation in maintaining normal operations of the garment industry. Nasreen Jahan, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and high-ranking officials of the ministry were also present, a press release said.
During the meeting, Sheikh Bashiruddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Aviation and Tourism, instructed BGMEA leaders to release the imported raw materials of the industry within 36 hours instead of 72 hours and said that the imported raw materials will be kept in Building No. 3 of Cargo Village for the time being.
The BGMEA delegation, among others, included Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Director Faisal Samad, Director Majumder Arifur Rahman, Director Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Director Rumana Rashid, Director Mohammad Sohel, former Director Nazrul Islam, Chairman of BGMEA’s Public Relations and Promotion Committee Masud Kabir, Chairman of Airport Cell Md. Nisher Khan, and others.
After visiting the site, the BGMEA delegation briefed journalists present in front of Gate No. 8 of Cargo Village about the visit.
In a press briefing, BGMEA leaders said that the garment industry uses airspace for transporting high-value goods and for urgent shipments. Such important goods have been destroyed in the fire. Among the destroyed goods were valuable raw materials for making garments, accessories and most importantly, many samples. Losing these samples means there is a risk of missing out on many future business opportunities.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan told reporters that BGMEA is trying to assess the damage and collect information. Letters have been sent to members seeking a list of damaged goods in a prescribed format and an online data collection portal has also been opened for quick collection of information. He added that BGMEA will soon hold a coordination meeting with the relevant authorities (Airport Authority, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Customs Authority and other agencies) to review all the collected information.
BGMEA strongly requests the relevant authorities and the government to address this huge loss to the garment industry:
Initiate a prompt and impartial investigation into whether this fire was an accident or sabotage. Provide overall cooperation and appropriate compensation to the affected entrepreneurs.
In order to maintain the normal operations of the garment industry, simplify and expedite all processes so that other regular shipments can also proceed at normal speed, regardless of the current situation at the port.
Ensure the safety of the products in sensitive areas of the airport instead of leaving export products in the open, so that concerns among foreign buyers are not created.
BGMEA has instructed its members to unload imported goods of the garment industry at the Dhaka airport within 36 hours.
