UK expresses interest in Dhaka airport’s third terminal ground handling

Bangladesh is currently in negotiations with Japan over the ground handling operations of the terminal

The United Kingdom has expressed interest in undertaking the ground handling operations at the third terminal of Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport.

UK Trade Envoy Baroness Rosie Winterton on Wednesday conveyed the interest during a courtesy meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

According to a media statement from the ministry, both parties emphasised the importance of further strengthening trade relations between Bangladesh and the UK.

The British trade envoy "assured" the ministers that the UK would stand by Bangladesh in implementing the current government’s election manifesto.

Moreover, the meeting highlighted the potential for increased investment in Bangladesh's aviation and tourism sectors through a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK.

Currently, the government is engaged in ongoing discussions with Japanese firms over the operations of the airport’s third terminal.

A delegation led by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held talks with Japanese representatives on Friday.

A final decision, however, has yet to be reached.