BGMEA, BKMEA to set up temporary storage at Shahjalal airport for imports

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, in collaboration with the Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, has initiated the establishment of a temporary warehouse—or “rub hall”—at Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal to maintain smooth import operations.

A BGMEA statement on Monday said the warehouse is being set up to ensure uninterrupted export activities and to tackle emergencies.

The BGMEA said a major fire on Oct 18 at the airport’s Cargo Village rendered the import shed unusable, disrupting garment industry imports.

As part of the joint initiative, the third terminal—not ready for storage at the moment—will be equipped with the temporary “rub hall” solution within a short timeframe. The BGMEA has already issued a work order to a supplier, and implementation is expected soon.

On Oct 20, leaders of BGMEA and BKMEA met Sheikh Bashir Uddin, advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, to discuss recovery measures.

BGMEA said the initiative will play a key role in securing imported products and ensuring the overall export trade remains uninterrupted.

The Oct 18 fire at the airport’s import cargo complex was contained by 9pm that night, though it took 27 hours to fully extinguish. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) estimates the damage at around Tk 120 billion.

Since the incident, import procedures have been delayed, with longer clearance times for goods. The temporary warehouse is intended to alleviate these logistical bottlenecks and restore smooth import flow.