Govt urges UK to lift ban on direct cargo flights

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has asked the UK government to lift a ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to London. The minister also expected Rushanara's strong pursuance to her government for lifting the temporary ban, said a press release issued by the ministry on Thursday. Mahmood also hoped that Bangladesh would continue to enjoy the same – or better – facilities for duty-free, quota-free market access to the UK market for 'Everything but Arms' products and services after Brexit becomes effective. Referring to the UK being the third largest country for exports from Bangladesh, the foreign minister requested the UK trade envoy to exchange trade delegations between the two countries to tap into the huge business and investment potential that Bangladesh delivers. He also congratulated Rushanara on her appointment as the UK prime minister’s trade envoy for Bangladesh. Mahmood expressed his satisfaction over the signing of an MoU between Bangladesh Railway and British company DP Rail Ltd for setting up a 240km rail track between Dhaka and Payra seaport in Patuakhali. Mentioning this as the biggest ever foreign direct investment, the foreign minister observed that this would be a major breakthrough in the public-private partnership area in Bangladesh.