A day after Bangladesh inked a Tk 732-million deal with British firm Redline Aviation Security Limited to help tighten security at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport, the United States has reportedly offered its assistance in ensuring “standard security” for the country’s airports.
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This was proposed by the US reportedly at a meeting held at the Civil Aviation Ministry recently between a high-level seven-member team of the US and Bangladeshi authorities, including the Aviation Minister.
“We discussed when Bangladesh wishes to consult and seek assistance from the US so that we can work together to improve security conditions,” Assistant Secretary for US Homeland Security Alan Bersin told a post-meeting press briefing.
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It may be mentioned here that a day prior to the US proposal, the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) and Redline Aviation Security Limited signed a two-year contract, under which the UK-based firm has decided to work in three phases to improve security by providing consultancy, supervise security set-up and manage and train the airport personnel.
Dwelling on the meeting with the 7-member US team, Bangladesh Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon said, “The threat from terrorism is international. Every country in the world is now under threat that particularly concerns aviation.” He added that the discussion with the US team was part of the government’s effort to “unitedly tackle” the security concerns at hand.
It may be mentioned here that in the face of mounting trade loss due to the embargo on air shipment imposed by the UK government, the Sheikh Hasina government has decided to revamp the security arrangements at the Dhaka International Airport by putting world-class security service contractors in place.
