BGMEA urges urgent aid, compensation following HSIA cargo fire

Inamul Haq Khan, Senior Vice President the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Sunday urged the authorities concerned to provide immediate and comprehensive cooperation and compensation for entrepreneurs severely affected by cargo village fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). "Industry representatives are pressing for specific measures to address the widespread damage. Key demands include the provision of overall cooperation  and compensation arrangements for affected entrepreneurs," he said.

Furthermore, he demanded the rapid arrangement of new shipments to ensure the normal continuation of activities within the garment industry.

The BGMEA vice president made the remarks in front of the fire-ravaged cargo village area at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the city.

 He spoke with journalists after visiting the damaged area.

In his speech, Inamul Haq Khan expressed the deep concern of the BGMEA board and described the fire incident as extremely unfortunate.

He emphasized that the disaster has severely damaged the country's export  trade, particularly impacting the crucial garment industry.

In an effort to quantify the scale of the disaster, he said, BGMEA is currently working to assess the extent of the damage and collect necessary information.

To expedite data gathering, he mentioned that Members have been sent letters requesting a list of lost products using a determined format. 

An online data collection portal has also been opened, he added.

 Following the successful collection of all data and information, he confirmed that the BGMEA is planning to hold a coordination meeting very soon.  This meeting will involve various key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the airport authorities, Customs authorities, and other relevant organizations, he added.

Finally, the Senior Vice President urged all related parties and industrial factories to be more careful and vigilant regarding fire safety.

, noting the heightened risk posed by the dry season which is currently underway.