The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has estimated that the recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) caused losses exceeding Tk 100 crore, dealing a severe blow to the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) export industry.

The blaze destroyed critical shipments, including finished garments, raw materials, and valuable sample products destined for international buyers—jeopardizing both immediate deliveries and future orders.

On Sunday, a BGMEA delegation led by Acting President Inamul Haq Khan visited the site to assess the damage. Following the inspection, he expressed grave concern over the extent of destruction.

“The entire import section has been reduced to ashes,” Inamul said. “This is not just about lost goods—it’s about damaged trust with global clients and disrupted supply chains. Our preliminary estimate puts the total loss at over Tk 100 crore.”

He highlighted that 200–250 garment factories rely on air cargo daily to meet tight international deadlines, making the airport a crucial logistics node for the $47 billion export sector.

To fast-track recovery, BGMEA has launched a comprehensive damage assessment and set up an online portal for affected members to submit detailed reports of lost consignments in a standardized format.

The association plans to convene a high-level coordination meeting with airport authorities, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, customs, and other relevant agencies to review safety protocols and prevent future incidents.

“This tragedy exposes critical vulnerabilities in our air cargo infrastructure,” Inamul warned. “We must urgently upgrade facilities and establish contingency mechanisms to protect Bangladesh’s export lifeline.”