BGMEA, BKMEA to set up temporary warehouse at HSIA

Two trade bodies --BGMEA and BKMEA -will jointly set up a temporary warehouse at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for facilitating their overseas trade as the latest devastating fire at its cargo village disrupted the export-import activities.

The decision was taken following a meeting of leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) with the Advisor to the commerce ministry and private aviation and tourism Sheikh Bashiruddin on October 20 last, according to a BGMEA statement.

The move aims to help recoup the losses caused due to the massive fire at the cargo village and protect imported goods for the greater interest of the exporting sectors, it added.

The export-import activities of the garment industry have been temporarily disrupted as the import-cargo shed was severely damaged and became unusable due to the terrible fire that broke out at the import cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on October 18.

To keep the country's export-import activities uninterrupted and operational, the two apparel-sector trade bodies have jointly taken such steps to cope with the emerging situation.

As part of the joint initiative, a 'Rubb Hall' (temporary warehouse) will be set up at the newly constructed Terminal-3, which is currently not ready for storage of goods, within a short time for the protection of valuable imported raw materials and other goods, it said.

To this effect, the BGMEA has already awarded a work order to a supplier for the installation of the 'Rubb Hall' and its implementation within the shortest possible time, it added.

"This joint initiative will play an effective role in protecting imported products and also provide significant support to help keep the country's overall export-import trade on," said the BGMEA statement.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com