Exporters Fear Tk12,000cr Loss From Airport Fire, Seek Action

The entire import cargo village was engulfed in flames at the Dhaka airport runway on 18 October 2025.

Exporters have expressed grave concern over an estimated loss of around Tk12,000 crore caused by the devastating fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

According to a preliminary estimate by the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB), the incident has alarmed both local businesses and foreign buyers, who fear its impact on trade and production.

At a press conference on Sunday, EAB President Mohammad Hatem, who also heads the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), announced a six-point demand for immediate government action.

He said it is still difficult to determine the full scale of losses, as many exporters are assessing the damage. “The direct loss comes from goods burnt in the fire, but that is not the only impact. The destruction of raw materials will disrupt production and delay export orders, leading to greater financial losses,” he said.

Hatem added that the incident has created uncertainty among foreign buyers, potentially affecting future export commitments. “We are apprehensive, and our foreign buyers are also concerned. There is a risk of losing market positions, a decline in confidence, and possible disruption to international contracts,” he noted.

Describing the fire as a major warning for the country’s business community, Hatem said the tragedy revealed serious lapses in the airport’s security system. “The security measures at the Cargo Village are clearly inadequate, and even the airport itself faces security risks,” he said.

The EAB urged the government to immediately assess the damage, compensate affected exporters, and strengthen safety protocols at the airport’s cargo handling facilities to prevent future incidents.

The association’s six-point demand includes:

1. Prompt settlement of insurance claims for damaged goods.

2. Creation of a special government fund for uninsured exporters.

3. Modernisation and expansion of the Cargo Village with enhanced security.

4. Establishment of a separate air-conditioned warehouse for pharmaceuticals.

5. Construction of a chemical warehouse at a safe distance.

6. Full automation of warehouse management using modern technology.

The press conference was jointly organised by several sectoral bodies, including BKMEA, BGMEA, BTMA, BGPMEA, and associations representing the leather, pharmaceutical, jewellery, frozen food, plastic, silk, and handicraft industries.