Exporters sound alarm as ‘Tk12,000cr loss’ sparks outcry

Exporters from different sectors have voiced deep concern over safety standards at all airports across Bangladesh following the devastating fire at the cargo village of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), which is estimated to have caused losses of around Tk12,000 crore.

Business leaders warned that foreign buyers’ confidence has been shaken and urged the government to strengthen safety measures at cargo zones and keep customs offices open on weekends to expedite clearance of export and import goods.

The exporters expressed their alarm at a press conference organised by the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka on Tuesday, following Saturday’s massive blaze at the airport’s cargo area.

Representatives from the BKMEA, BGMEA, BTMA, BGPMEA, LFMEAB, BAPI, and associations representing exporters of fruits and vegetables, jewellery, sewing thread, frozen foods, plastics, silk, handicrafts, and giftware jointly demanded swift action to prevent a repeat of such an incident.

‘A big warning sign’ for exporters

EAB President Mohammad Hatem described the fire at one of the country’s most critical export infrastructures as “a big warning sign” for the business community and export-oriented industries.

“We are alarmed and our foreign buyers are also anxious. Bangladesh’s image has been tarnished to global buyers due to the fire,” he said, adding that the incident clearly exposed serious security lapses at the cargo village.

Hatem, who also heads the BKMEA, urged the government to swiftly implement a set of measures after a full investigation and damage assessment.

His six-point proposal includes:

> Speedy settlement of insurance claims for goods damaged in the fire

> Creation of a special government fund to compensate uninsured losses;

> Modernisation and expansion of the cargo village to ensure future security;

> Establishment of separate, modern air-conditioned warehouses for pharmaceuticals;

> Relocation of chemical warehouses to safe distances

> Full automation of warehouse management using modern technology.

He noted that around 7% of Bangladesh’s total export products are shipped through airports.

BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said it would take at least a week to fully calculate the losses and called for government support to help affected businesses recover.

Calls for accountability

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Showkat Aziz Russell demanded a swift investigation and punishment for those responsible.

“If a factory owner was involved in such an incident, he would be instantly detained. But in this fire case, the responsible people should also be brought under punishment,” he said, suggesting that there might be “a conspiracy” behind the blaze involving political and geopolitical factors.

Md Shahriar, president of the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said losses in the accessories sector had already exceeded Tk23 crore, with damage reports still coming in.

He stressed the need for heightened vigilance to avert similar disasters.

Pharmaceutical sector hit hard

Dr Md Zakir Hossain, secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), said 32 pharmaceutical companies have so far reported losses of about Tk200 crore due to the destruction of raw materials.

“Currently, 250 pharmaceutical companies are in operation. In many cases, 53 raw materials are required to produce a single medicine. We need to open LCs quickly to normalise the medicine supply,” he said.

Senior Vice-President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Mohammed Nazmul Hassan estimated several million dollars in losses for his sector.

Md Niaz Ali Chisty, former president of the Electronic Safety and Security Association of Bangladesh (ESSAB), blamed systemic corruption and the use of substandard products for such fires, alleging collusion between government officials, contractors and businesses.

Fire Service forms probe committee

The Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) has formed a five-member investigation committee to probe the fire at Dhaka airport.

The committee is headed by Lt Col Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, director (operations and maintenance), Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence.

Other members of the committee are Md Abdul Mannan, deputy assistant director of FSCD’s Dhaka Zone-03; Md Nahid Mamun, senior station officer of FSCD’s Kurmitola station; Md Tozammel Hossain, warehouse inspector of FSCD’s Dhaka-19; and Md Saleh Uddin, deputy director of FSCD, Dhaka division.

The committee has been instructed to immediately visit the site, begin the investigation and complete it within 15 working days.

It has been asked to submit two investigation reports to the department as per policy.