The apparel sector's apex body has urged the government to speed up implementation of the projects aimed at upgrading major airports, including the construction of new terminals and extension of runways in Dhaka, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet.

Also, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) called on Bangladesh Biman Airlines to increase the number of flights to Dubai and London and to operate flights to long routes – Toronto, New York, Manchester, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome and Barcelona.

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It requested the government to procure four cargo freighters (cargo aircraft) to meet the increased demand for air shipment of import-export goods.

"Global merchandise trade has begun to recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and trade flows are expected to continue in the coming days. Many countries are relaxing their travel restrictions based on the Covid situation. So, both business travel and air transportation of goods are increasing," BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said.

The megaprojects undertaken by the government for upgrading airports of the country, including the construction of the third terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, will help meet the future demand for air transportation and contribute to further economic growth, he added.

The call was made when the BGMEA leaders, led by President Faruque Hassan, met with State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali at the secretariat Sunday.

The BGMEA leaders said as the economy of Bangladesh is expanding; the volume of import, export and investment is also growing. "So, the launch of a new terminal with modern facilities will speed up and boost the trade of the country."

They expressed hope that this new terminal would be a blessing for passengers and businesses as both the cargo and passenger capacities will increase.

BGMEA vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, and Md Nasir Uddin attended the meeting.

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Md Mokammel Hossain, secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Sajjadul Hassan, chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, and Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, managing director of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, were also present.