The government has picked Redline Assured Security, a UK-based firm, for giving training to the security personnel appointed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka for implementing the UK suggested sustainable action plan.
The approval came from a meeting of the cabinet committee on government purchase on Sunday as part of the government's short term initiatives to meet the conditions outlined by the UK.
The decision came in the wake of the UK's suspension of direct cargo flights from here over security concerns. The security firm will start its operation in Dhaka on March 23.
On March 8, the UK imposed the temporary ban on direct air cargo shipment from Dhaka to London, citing security issues while Australia came up with the same move in December last year.
UK's Department for Transport in a post said a recent security assessment found that Dhaka airport was yet to meet some international security requirements.
“As part of a set of interim measures, cargo will not be allowed on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice,” it read.
The British authorities also informed the Bangladesh government that unless there is visible improvement in security situation by March 31, the direct flight of Biman between Dhaka and London will be banned.
British Prime Minister David Cameron in a letter to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina stated that an improvement plan must be developed and delivered by March 31 to avoid further measure like banning of direct air cargo shipment from Dhaka to London.
According to a source in the Civil Aviation Ministry, the government was negotiating with a number of UK firms – Restrata, Redline and Westminster Group – to engage in assisting Bangladesh airport security agencies and train them in black and white.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines carries cargo directly to London with its four weekly passenger flights. Each flight to the UK carries an average of 25 tonnes of cargo, mostly apparels, vegetables and agricultural products.
The total export and import volume of Bangladesh with the UK during the year 2014-15 was $3205.45 million and $330.72 million respectively.
Business leaders expressed concern that if the ban is not lifted immediately, the Bangladeshi exporters have to send their products through Singapore or Hong Kong or Thailand or Dubai which will increase the transportation costs and time.
The alternative procedure will hurt Bangladesh's business to the UK market, said the DCCI members.