Officials from several British-Bangladeshi chambers and trade associations have urged the Bangladesh government to initiate Biman or chartered cargo flights to facilitate regular and weekly imports of frozen foods, fruits and vegetables from Bangladesh. They said Bangladeshi grocery shops in the UK are facing grave supply challenges during coronavirus lockdowns, including the month of Ramadan.

The business leaders made the request through Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem recently, said the High Commission on Saturday. The High Commission held a video-conference with the British-Bangladesh chambers and business associations to discuss the challenges facing British-Bangladeshi businesses in the UK, and British-Bangladeshi importers importing from Bangladesh in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

Leaders of British-Bangladesh Chambers and Associations, including British-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI), UK-Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce & Industry (UKBCCI), Bangladesh Caterers Association, UK (BCA), British-Bangladesh Caterers’ Association, UK Biman Approved Travel Agent Association, Bangladesh Fresh Vegetables and Fruits importer Association, UK and Wales Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce participated in the video-conference.

The leaders exchanged views with the High Commissioner on overcoming some of the critical challenges, including in importing frozen foods, fruits and vegetables from Bangladesh which has a huge demand in the UK, transportation of frozen foods, fruits, vegetable, ready-made garment and other export items during the Bangladesh lockdowns; and the question of the sustainability of the British-Bangladeshi curry industry amid the global outbreak of deadly coronavirus.