Bangladesh prods Rushanara to help end UK ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka

Bangladesh is expecting British politician Rushanara Ali MP, who is the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, to play a role in getting the direct cargo flights ban lifted.

During a meeting on Wednesday, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali expected “a strong pursuance” by the Bangladesh-origin British politician for lifting the temporary ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to London, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The visiting MP met the minister at his office.

The foreign minister also hoped that Bangladesh would continue to enjoy the “same or better” facilities for duty and quota-free access to the UK market even after the Brexit.

The UK in March suspended the direct cargo flights from Shahjalal International Airport on security grounds. After the suspension, Bangladesh has hired a British company to improve the security mechanism.

But on Nov 6, a knife-wielding man attacked security personnel at the entrance of the departure lounge, killing an Ansar and injuring three other security guards.

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake recently pointed to the attack and said it shows “the continuing need for the highest vigilance”.

Rushanara Ali is visiting Bangladesh for the first time as the PM’s trade envoy

The foreign minister congratulated her on her appointment.

He expressed “satisfaction” over the signing of a MoU between Bangladesh Railway and British company DP Rail Ltd for setting up a 240-kilometre rail line between Dhaka and Payra seaport in Patuakhali’s Kuakata with an estimated cost of Tk 600 billion.

The foreign minister said this was the biggest-ever foreign direct investment. He said this would be the “major breakthrough” in the public-private partnership area in Bangladesh.

The UK is the third largest destination for Bangladeshi export.