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The government looks to enhance air cargo services to strengthen the country's logistics ecosystem, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Tuesday.
He said air transhipment has become important in addition to sea transportation in recent times, adding that air freight facilities are also expanding beyond Dhaka.
"It is air (transhipment)...We have leveraged all our hidden treasures that we did not know," said the adviser while speaking as a guest of honour on a webinar titled "State of Investment Climate" and hosted by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
"We have invested in a new cargo terminal together with a new airport terminal," said Bashir, also responsible for the aviation ministry.
Executive Chairman of BIDA and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Ashik Chowdhury moderated the discussion.
Regarding the cargo terminal in Dhaka, Bashir said, "We have used state-of-the-art facilities with cutting-edge technology to minimise the turnaround time for air freighters."
He expected this would help reduce the cost expectations as well.
In addition to Sylhet and Chattogram, there are several other airports in the country, he said, adding, "Potentially also Cox's Bazar where we are making a runway long enough to accommodate (Boeing) 747-800 aircraft to take the highest payload."
"So yes, we are thinking beyond Dhaka for sure," said Bashir.
He also said moves are underway to address the country's energy supply issue.
The adviser suggested investors choose the Bhola region, which has surplus gas supply.
He also emphasised export basket diversification, strengthening the cold chain, reducing post-harvest losses, and the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the sake of the economy.
Before this, BIDA's Ashik gave a brief presentation, which showed foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country is showing an upward trend, whereas improvements are needed in the inflation trend.
He identified energy supply and pricing policy, new tariff implications and impacts of old practices at the grassroots level, and timely implementation as the existing challenges.
After India decided to cancel transhipment facilities for Bangladeshi exports last month, the interim government moved to strengthen air cargo operations.
One of the steps was introducing dedicated cargo flights from Osmani International Airport in Sylhet. The first such flight departed for Spain on April 27. The service was inaugurated by the commerce adviser.
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