Security improves significantly at Dhaka airport
Seven foreign diplomats yesterday expressed satisfaction over “substantial” and “significant” improvements in security and management at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, especially after British company Redline Aviation Security Limited was appointed in March to undertake the task.
At the meeting on “Aviation Security” at the foreign ministry, Bangladesh formed a forum to work on security issues of Bangladesh Biman with the countries and union yesterday's diplomats represented -- the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, United Arab Emirates and European Union.
The forum came about in light of that formed by the friends and partners of Bangladesh after the Rana Plaza collapse, foreign ministry sources said. The British firm was appointed after the UK imposed a ban on direct cargo flights from Dhaka to London.
Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque was in the chair and Civil Aviation Secretary ASM Golam Faruque was present. However, the home secretary was absent. A civil aviation ministry official gave a presentation on the airport's latest situation.
Emphasising that “more needs to be done” to maintain international standards, the diplomats stressed developing professional skill and efficiency of staff for ensuring full-proof security and assured further extending technical and technological support.
Sources at the meeting lasting for over an hour said the government would soon recruit over 500 persons and provide them adequate skill and efficiency development training.
The meeting stressed hiring a large number of experienced trainers for them and underscored the need for purchasing the latest security equipment and recruiting trained operators.
Bangladesh's government assured that an “Aviation Security” would efficiently deal with relevant issues as it was formed with adequately trained and skilful members of different security forces.
The EU and Australian envoys separately told journalists that it was a “technical and fruitful discussion”.
The diplomats comprised high commissioners Alison Blake (UK), Greg Wilcock (Australia) and Benoît-Pierre Laramée (Canada), deputy chiefs of missions Davil Meal (US) and Takeshi Matsunaga (Japan), EU Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon and a senior one from the UAE embassy.
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