Biman waives cargo charge on onion import

The civil aviation and tourism ministry on Wednesday decided that the Biman Bangladesh Airlines will waive its cargo handling charge for any airlines that will import onion.

“Biman charges Taka 18 per kg for perishable goods, imported by any airlines, for its cargo handling services. We have decided to waive the charge in case of onion import for public interest,” Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Md Mokabbir Hossain said.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by civil aviation and tourism secretary M Mohibul Haque held at the ministry at secretariat.

A ministry press release said that the waiving of cargo charge will be enforced from today (Wednesday) and will continue as long as onions are imported through air cargo.

The ministry will provide all out support to the onion importers in this regard to keep the onion price stable in the market, said the release.

On Tuesday, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the government decided to import 50,000 metric tons of onion by cargo planes to contain price hike of the essential cooking ingredient, reports BSS.