PM’s adviser Salman blasts airport authorities over EDS machine issues
Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman blamed authorities of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital for their failure in repairing the broken Explosive Detection System (EDS) machines which is hampering cargo export operations.
The adviser expressed his disappointment during a surprise visit to the airport on September 29. Four EDS machines had been malfunctioning at the Dhaka Airport, slowing down the export of goods.
Expressing his anger, Salman F Rahman said major European buyers, especially Inditex Group, C&A and H&M, had complained for not getting their products on time. Domestic traders had also made the same complaints, he added, which is why he had decided to visit the Airport Cargo Village by himself.
Officials of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, HSIA and leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) were present during the visit.
At a press conference after the visit, Salman addressed, after inspection it was clear that exports were being hampered due to the negligence of the authorities in fixing the machines.
A meeting will be held soon with the aviation ministry and its secretary to hold them accountable. He claimed the matter would be taken seriously as exports are the lifeline of the country's economy.
Salman F Rahman and BGMEA leaders entered the Cargo Village at 3:38 pm. After a half-hour visit there, he held a press conference at the airport.
The adviser also raised questions about the road in front of the Cargo Village's entrance being so narrow. After entering the Cargo Village, he expressed displeasure at the products lying there awaiting clearance.
At the time, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Chairman Sajjadul Hasan and Group Captain AHM Touhid-ul Ahsan, Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, were present. They were both questioned by Salman.
"We are going to be a middle-income country. Why is the situation here like this? It is a matter of great shame. You [the authorities] will not improve the system and nor will you allow others to do so," he claimed. Salman then visited the EDS machine area, where journalists were not allowed.
During the press conference held next to the VIP lounge at around 4.45pm, he said the four machines at the cargo village had been damaged. Two were in operation earlier, but one had been shut for six months, while the other had malfunctioned around 10 days ago.
The needed spare parts were not available at the time. The remaining two machines had been installed six months ago, but they were yet to be validated by the company which installed it.
"I am very disappointed. If the validation is done next October, it will be possible to launch the new machines in the first week of November. And the old machines have to be fit for operation in the next seven days," he said.
Highlighting the growing opportunities for export, he said, "Now we have a big opportunity. China has shut down the textile industry due to power shortages… also Vietnam's factories had been shuttered due to the pandemic. This is the time for getting lots of orders.”
Currently, products were being scanned by dogs, which was a time-consuming process. Wasted time also meant additional costs. But explosive detection scanning is mandatory for export to European Union countries.
"If you can't fix the problems at the airport, there will be no extra business opportunities," he noted.
