Biman and export of fruits and vegetables
Saturday, 21 July 2007
Leaders of the Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) have submitted recently a list of demands to the government . The demands of the association are mainly in the area of air freighting. Fast and less costly air freighting of their perishable products is the key to expanding their businesses. But they are formidably constrained by lack of air freighting capacities or their high charges.
Some months ago the government waived the ground handling charge of any aircraft carrying fruits and vegetables cargoes. An immediate reaction of this policy decision was seen in some foreign airlines that previously refused to carry such cargoes from Bangladesh, from their agreeing to do so in the light of the new decision.
But it is ironical that while foreign airlines have been activated by the government's decision, the Bangladesh Biman authorities have not yet implemented it. Biman authorities need to be obliged to implement the decision at the fastest. The Bangladesh Biman at present has very limited capacities for carrying fruits and vegetables and its charges are also irrationally high.
A big boost to vegetable export can take place from Biman increasing its carrying capacities and reasonably scaling down its charges. There is no reason why Biman should not take such measures because freighting these perishable products round the world can turn out to be a lucrative source of business for this airline which is otherwise facing hard times financially. Business operators in this sector are all for chartering private carrier. But they can only viably materialise these plans after the government decides to reduce charges significantly for such private chartered flights.
Aminur Rahman
Rampura, Dhaka
Some months ago the government waived the ground handling charge of any aircraft carrying fruits and vegetables cargoes. An immediate reaction of this policy decision was seen in some foreign airlines that previously refused to carry such cargoes from Bangladesh, from their agreeing to do so in the light of the new decision.
But it is ironical that while foreign airlines have been activated by the government's decision, the Bangladesh Biman authorities have not yet implemented it. Biman authorities need to be obliged to implement the decision at the fastest. The Bangladesh Biman at present has very limited capacities for carrying fruits and vegetables and its charges are also irrationally high.
A big boost to vegetable export can take place from Biman increasing its carrying capacities and reasonably scaling down its charges. There is no reason why Biman should not take such measures because freighting these perishable products round the world can turn out to be a lucrative source of business for this airline which is otherwise facing hard times financially. Business operators in this sector are all for chartering private carrier. But they can only viably materialise these plans after the government decides to reduce charges significantly for such private chartered flights.
Aminur Rahman
Rampura, Dhaka