Aviation Minister Calls for Advanced Technology and Infrastructure Upgrades to Streamline Airport Cargo Handling
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Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam stated that the integration of cutting-edge technology into airport cargo handling will mark a significant milestone for the nation’s aviation sector. The minister made the remarks on Monday during an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room in the Secretariat, which focused on addressing cargo handling challenges through the construction of permanent and temporary warehouses. The meeting was chaired by Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.
Minister Khanam emphasized that ongoing efforts are underway to transform Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a more secure, modern, and efficient institution. She identified the resolution of longstanding technical and infrastructural bottlenecks as a primary priority, noting that administrative procedures must be streamlined to ensure transparency and accountability.
Regarding the implementation of Artificial Intelligence models, the minister expressed a goal for the country to lead in technological adoption rather than simply following global trends. She urged all relevant agencies to collaborate urgently on the construction of warehouse facilities to expedite cargo clearance and improve service standards.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir highlighted the clear division of responsibilities, noting that while the airport authorities are tasked with infrastructure development and management, the Customs department is responsible for ensuring the legality of imports and exports, verifying documentation, and processing tariffs. He stressed that resolving infrastructural shortcomings is essential to enhancing overall cargo handling capacity.
The meeting evaluated seven potential sites for the construction of a temporary warehouse and four locations for a permanent facility. Furthermore, officials discussed the development of climate-controlled storage infrastructure to facilitate the movement of pharmaceutical products. Additional agenda items included the establishment of formal ground handling guidelines, the implementation of a real-time notification system for importers, and the development of an Artificial Intelligence-based model to streamline the tracking and retrieval of imported goods.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from various relevant ministries and state agencies.
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