The British-Bangladesh chambers and business associations have urged the government to initiate Biman or chartered cargo flights to facilitate regular or weekly imports.
They mostly want to import frozen foods, fruits and vegetables from Bangladesh without which the Bangladeshi grocery shops in the UK are facing grave supply challenges during coronavirus lockdowns, including in the month of Ramadan.
The question of sustainability of the British-Bangladeshi curry industry amid the global outbreak of deadly coronavirus also came forward. They made the request to Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem at a virtual video conference.
The High Commission said on Saturday they organised the conference with British-Bangladesh chambers and business associations to discuss the challenges facing British-Bangladeshi businesses in the UK, and British-Bangladeshi importers importing from Bangladesh in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.
Leaders of British-Bangladesh Chambers and Associations, including British-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI), UK-Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce & Industry (UKBCCI), Bangladesh Caterers Association, UK (BCA), British-Bangladesh Caterers’ Association, UK Biman Approved Travel Agent Association, Bangladesh Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Importer Association, UK and Wales Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce participated in the conference.
Country Manager of Biman Bangladesh Airlines also took part in it. The High Commissioner assured to convey their recommendations duly to relevant authorities in Bangladesh. “All efforts would be undertaken to resolve their challenges at the earliest,” she assured them.
The High Commissioner also briefed them about the latest situation of bilateral trade and businesses and key initiatives undertaken by the High Commission in London to mitigate business losses both in Bangladesh and the UK during this unprecedented global pandemic.
The High Commissioner categorically highlighted the country’s largest-ever financial incentive package unveiled by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, especially to support export-oriented industries and protect their workers’ wages.
She called upon the British-Bangladeshi RMG exporters to take advantage of the Prime Minister’s incentive package for their workers’ wages for the next three months.
She said her mission is working closely in coordination with UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Department of International Trade, BGMEA and other UK trade bodies including Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to ensure payments by British retailers to Bangladesh’s garments industry for manufactured goods and honour their contracts.
She reaffirmed that the London High Commission remains dedicated 24/7 to the services of the nation and the Bangladeshi community in the UK during this crisis time.
