Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday briefed diplomats of six embassies about the steps taken to improve security at the Shahjalal International Airport.
An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh made a presentation on the steps taken, said an official who was present at the meeting.
The steps are: deployment of airport security force, renovation of cargo warehouse, restriction on outsiders’ entry to cargo warehouse area, installation of scanners and initiatives to buy new equipment.
“We briefed them about our position and they told us that they would send report to their countries about the development,” the official said.
After a Russian plane was exploded in Egypt in October, securities at airports around the world were heightened.
Another official said the government sought assistance from the countries to provide proper security training and they said they would consider it.
“We also told them that it would take time to buy necessary equipment,” he said.
The government would buy equipment worth Tk800 million for security up-gradation at the airport but due to procurement policy it would take three to four months to complete the procedures.
Envoys from United Kingdom, Japan and Germany, and senior diplomats from Canada, United States and Australia were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh last month submitted a time-bound sustainable planning for the improvement of airport security.
The British authorities have wanted to inspect Dhaka airport for quite a long time and in November they sent a team to see by themselves the security situation.
Regional Liasion Officer for Aviation Safety for Asia-Pacific Region Jon Lovsey came in November and submitted its first report where he mentioned security lapses for passenger movement.
Lovsey again visited Dhaka in mid-December and submitted its report where security lapses in cargo handling system were highlighted.
