Dhaka: Voicing concern over the suspension of carrying cargo on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK by the British government, BGMEA leaders on Thursday urged the government to initiate an immediate government-level negotiation to have the restriction relaxed.

President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Siddiqur Rahman came up with the call at a press briefing at BGMEA Bhaban in the capital, two days after the suspension of carrying cargo on direct flights by the UK government.

“The country’s readymade garments export will be badly affected with the restriction as the UK is an important market for Bangladesh as readymade garments worth US$ 3 billion are annually exported to the European country,” he said.

Siddiqur urged the government to take immediate steps for fulfilling the international security requirements at the country’s internationals airports within the March-31 deadline as given by the British government.

“The government should inform the UK government about what measures Bangladesh is going to take for strengthening security at the airports and request it to relax the restriction till March 31 next,” he said.

He said some 10-15 percent of RMG goods are exported through air shipments annually. “If the restriction continues, many orders will be cancelled, resulting in increased air shipment cost for using indirect air flights.

On Tuesday last, the British government said cargo will not be allowed on direct flights from Dhaka to the UK until further notice.

It said a recent security assessment at Hazrat Shahjalal

International Airport, Dhaka found that some international security requirements were not being met.