ports

Bangladesh Liberalizes Air Cargo Operations to Ease Export Bottlenecks

Bangladesh will allow private operators to establish air cargo facilities near international airports, marking a significant shift in the country's logistics framework. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced the policy during budget presentations. The authorization permits both foreign logistics firms and domestic operators to invest in off-airport cargo clearance infrastructure. The initiative targets chronic delays plaguing Bangladesh's airfreight sector, where exporters currently transport shipments directly from factories to airport terminals, only to face extended processing queues and security procedures. The three international airports serving Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet will eventually transition into comprehensive logistics hubs supporting the nation's growing e-commerce industry. Trade groups including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association backed the proposal, citing significant efficiency gains from dedicated off-dock facilities that would reduce supply-chain delays and operational bottlenecks.