Leather goods exporters have sought cent per cent store rent charge waiver at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, industry insiders said.
Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) recently applied to the commerce ministry requesting to take immediate steps in this regard, they added.
Manufacturers and exporters under the LFMEAB have been facing difficulties due to disruption in supply chain across the globe in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
"For smooth operation of emergency exports by leather exporters, some materials will have to be imported through air route," the letter reads.
Cargoes of medical goods are being released on priority basis from HSIA. For this, other commercial cargoes will get less time for their release as the official activities at the airport are being carried out for a limited period with limited manpower, the letter added.
As a result, commercial cargoes will consume longer time for being released from the airport. So, the association has requested 100 per cent store rent waiver at the airport, a trader concerned said.
The civil aviation ministry has already given some facilities to the country's apparel makers on imports of their raw materials at the airport, according to the LFMEAB.
The government should provide the same facility like the apparel sector for survival of the country's leather goods exporters, the letter said.
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