Commerce Minister Muktadir Calls for Efficient Air Cargo Handling at Bangladesh Airports

Dhaka, August 17, 2026 — Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir yesterday called for the speedy resolution of infrastructure-related problems to increase cargo-handling capacity at airports and improve the efficiency of international trade by reducing business time and costs. The minister made the remarks at a review meeting on increasing airport cargo-handling capacity and the progress of warehouse construction, as part of efforts to boost bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU).

🚢 The Cargo Handling Crisis at Airports

The meeting at the commerce ministry in Dhaka highlighted several persistent problems at Bangladesh's airport cargo facilities:

• 📦 Goods left unattended — outside cargo villages and warehouses due to lack of space
• 🚧 Theft incidents — exporters and importers have complained about goods being stolen
• 🚧 Space shortage — insufficient warehouse capacity at airports
• ⏳ Delays in clearance — cargo handling bottlenecks slow trade
• 💰 Higher business costs — inefficiency raises trade costs for exporters

The minister acknowledged that although issues such as cargo handling and warehouses at airports do not fall directly under the jurisdiction of the commerce ministry, they are closely linked to the country's trade and export activities. Modern cargo management at airports is extremely important for expanding trade with the EU, Muktadir said.

🤝 Inter-Ministerial Coordination Proposed

To expedite the efficient handling of cargo and warehouse operations, the minister proposed establishing an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism:

• 👥 Inter-ministerial committee — including a commerce ministry representative
• 🤝 Strengthened coordination — among all relevant parties
• ⏳ Accelerated implementation — of decisions and infrastructure projects
• 📜 Commerce ministry support — ready to provide necessary assistance

🏢 Warehouse Construction: 7 Temporary, 4 Permanent Sites

The minister emphasised the need to quickly identify a location and complete the necessary arrangements for a temporary warehouse:

• 🏢 7 potential sites — for constructing a temporary warehouse near the airport
• 🏢 4 potential sites — for a permanent warehouse
• 💰 Land acquisition — through rental or other means, decided promptly
• ⏳ Primary objective — make facilities operational as quickly as possible
• 🚧 Permanent warehouse progress — construction reviewed alongside temporary solutions

Detailed discussions were held on the seven potential temporary sites and four permanent sites, according to a statement from the commerce ministry. The primary objective is to make the necessary facilities operational as quickly as possible.

🏛️ Customs Role Clarified

The customs department is responsible for ensuring the legality of imported and exported goods, required declarations and documentation, and customs-related matters. However, construction and management of warehouses and infrastructure are not the core responsibilities of customs, Muktadir clarified — signalling a need for clearer institutional responsibility allocation.

✈️ Civil Aviation Minister: Transforming Biman

Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Afroza Khanam also spoke at the meeting:

• ✈️ Transforming Biman — concerted efforts to make Biman Bangladesh Airlines safer, more modern, and efficient
• 🚧 Technical problems — resolving long-standing technical and infrastructure issues quickly is a priority
• 📜 Simplified formalities — need to simplify processes and implement decisions swiftly
• ✅ Transparency and accountability — ensuring these principles in all operations

🌐 Why Air Cargo Matters for Bangladesh's Export Economy

Efficient air cargo handling is critical for Bangladesh's export diversification strategy, particularly for:

• 💊 Pharmaceuticals — high-value, time-sensitive exports requiring air freight
• 🌾 Agro-products — perishable goods like fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood
• 👕 RMG samples — fast turnaround for buyer approval samples
• 🧵 Jute and leather products — higher-value, lower-volume exports
• 💻 IT and electronics — technology products requiring expedited shipping

For trade with the EU specifically, air cargo efficiency is crucial — as Bangladesh seeks to diversify beyond ocean-freighted RMG into higher-value, time-sensitive product categories that compete on speed and quality rather than just price.

📊 Strategic Context: EU Trade and LDC Graduation

The push for improved air cargo capacity comes as Bangladesh prepares for LDC graduation in November 2026 (potentially extended to November 2029). The country urgently needs to diversify its export basket beyond ready-made garments — and air cargo-dependent sectors like pharmaceuticals, agro-processors, and IT services represent the most promising diversification pathways.

However, Bangladesh's current airport cargo infrastructure — particularly at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka — has long been a bottleneck for export diversification. Cargo left unattended outside warehouses, theft incidents, and space shortages all undermine the reliability that international buyers demand. The minister's call for inter-ministerial coordination and rapid warehouse construction signals government recognition that air cargo infrastructure must be treated as a strategic export competitiveness issue — not just an operational convenience.

The identification of seven potential temporary warehouse sites and four permanent sites suggests that the government is moving from diagnosis to action. If even a few of these sites can be brought into operation quickly — with proper security, refrigeration for perishables, and customs integration — the impact on Bangladesh's air cargo export capacity could be transformative. For the pharmaceutical, agro-processing, and IT sectors that depend on air freight, every additional square metre of functional warehouse space translates directly into faster order fulfilment, lower damage rates, and stronger buyer confidence.