Exporters have expressed concerns over a devastating fire that ripped through the sensitive cargo village in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital on Saturday.
“For years, we have been expressing concerns that our goods are kept in open spaces, which poses a serious security risk,” said Mohammad Hatem, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB).
“We will send letters to BKMEA members, asking them to submit details of the damage so that we can assess the overall impact,” he added. “The total loss is still unclear. The actual figure will be known only after a thorough investigation.”
The government must launch an immediate investigation to determine whether the fire incident was a mere accident or if there was any foul play behind it, Hatem suggested.
“In recent days, several fires have been reported in both local and export-oriented garment factories. This cannot be ignored,” he stated.
The inferno at the cargo village in Dhaka airport, following the blaze at Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ), has sparked serious concerns among exporters over safety and risk management. “This could also create unease among foreign buyers, which may ultimately impact export confidence,” Hatem warned.
A large number of cargo village users are from the ready-made garment sector. They use the facility to import lightweight machinery and electronic goods and to export garments and samples. International courier services also rely on the village for air transport of documents and parcels.
