The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have jointly taken swift measures to protect imported goods following the devastating fire that broke out on 18 October at the import cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The incident severely damaged the import shed, rendering it unusable and temporarily disrupting the garment industry’s import operations, said a press release.

To ensure uninterrupted export activities and minimize disruption to the supply chain, BGMEA and BKMEA have decided to establish a temporary storage solution under a joint initiative.

As part of this plan, a “Rubb Hall” (temporary warehouse) will be set up at the newly constructed Terminal-3, which is not yet operational for cargo storage.

The installation of the Rubb Hall aims to provide immediate protection for imported raw materials and other valuable goods.

According to BGMEA, a supplier has already been assigned to install the Rubb Hall, and implementation will be completed within the shortest possible time.

Earlier on 20 October, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, along with senior leaders from both associations and Commerce, Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, held a meeting to discuss recovery measures following the Cargo Village fire.

It was in this meeting that the decision for the joint initiative was finalised to safeguard imported goods and support the industry’s operations.

BGMEA reaffirmed its strong commitment to maintaining smooth import and export activities with the full cooperation of the government, regardless of circumstances.

The association believes this joint initiative will play an essential role in protecting imported goods and ensuring the continued stability of the country’s overall export trade.