Due to the devastating fire at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s import cargo village on 18 October, the import shed was severely damaged and rendered unusable, temporarily disrupting the garment industry’s import activities. To ensure the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the country’s export sector, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have taken swift joint action to address this urgent situation.

As part of this joint initiative, a temporary solution in the form of a "Rubb Hall" (temporary warehouse) will be set up at the newly constructed Terminal-3 (currently not ready for storage) to quickly secure valuable imported raw materials and other goods. BGMEA has already issued a work order to a supplier for the installation of this Rubb Hall, which will be implemented in the shortest possible time.

It is worth noting that on 20 October, senior leaders of both organizations, including BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, met with Sheikh Bashiruddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Private Aviation and Tourism. During that meeting, the above joint initiative was decided upon to overcome the damage at the cargo village and safeguard imported goods in the interest of the industry.

BGMEA remains firmly committed to maintaining uninterrupted import-export activities of the industry under any circumstances, with full government cooperation. This joint initiative is expected to play a crucial role in protecting imported goods and supporting the smooth functioning of the country’s overall export trade.