Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir spoke at a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce conference room in Dhaka. Photo : PID

DHAKA, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today called for expediting the construction of necessary infrastructure to resolve longstanding cargo handling problems at the country's airports.

He said the construction of temporary and permanent warehouses should be taken forward on an urgent basis without getting stalled in lengthy administrative procedures.

The minister made the remarks while presiding over a review meeting at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce on progress in enhancing airport cargo handling capacity and constructing warehouses aimed at expanding trade and investment between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU).

The commerce minister said the responsibility for developing and managing airport infrastructure rests with the relevant authorities, while customs is responsible for ensuring the legality of imported and exported goods, necessary declarations and documentation, and payment of duties and taxes, said a Commerce Ministry press release.

"Construction of warehouses and infrastructure management are not the core responsibilities of customs," he said.

He said once the necessary infrastructure is provided, customs will conduct its operations there. Therefore, infrastructural problems must be resolved quickly to increase cargo handling capacity, he added.

Although the matter does not fall directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Commerce, it is closely linked to the country's trade and export activities, Muktadir said.

"Modern cargo management at airports is particularly important for expanding trade with the European Union," he said, adding that the Ministry of Commerce 
is ready to provide necessary cooperation to resolve the problems.

To expedite the process, he proposed establishing an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, with a representative from the Ministry of Commerce included if necessary. Such coordination, he said, would strengthen cooperation among the concerned agencies and accelerate implementation of decisions.

The minister also stressed the need to quickly identify a location and complete necessary arrangements for a temporary warehouse.

"If land needs to be acquired through rental or any other arrangement, a decision should be taken quickly. The main objective should be to make the required facilities operational as soon as possible," he said.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said concerted efforts were underway to transform Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a safer, more modern and efficient organisation.

She said resolving the longstanding technical and infrastructural problems remain as a priority. She also stressed simplifying necessary formalities and ensuring transparency and accountability while implementing decisions swiftly.

The meeting discussed increasing airport cargo handling capacity, expediting the release of goods and reducing obstacles to trade and business through both temporary and permanent solutions.

In this regard, detailed discussions were held on seven potential sites for constructing a temporary warehouse in areas near the airport and four potential sites for constructing a permanent warehouse.

Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter, Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank and concerned ministries attended the meeting.