EU demands Bangladesh screen export goods for explosives
DHAKA, Bangladesh — The European Union has slapped a new security screening requirement on imports from Bangladesh, a move that is likely to make it costlier for businesses in the South Asian country to sell products to EU nations.
Just over half of Bangladeshi exports go to the European bloc, accounting for $18.68 billion in revenues during the last fiscal year. Those shipments, by air or sea, will now have to be screened by bomb-detecting dogs and devices.
Bangladesh has none of these facilities, so cargo will have to be routed through a third country where security screening is possible.
The move makes Bangladesh the 13th country designated as “high risk” for EU commerce. It was unexpected, according to Bangladeshi government officials, who said they were given no explanation when informed Monday of the change. The EU ambassador’s office in Dhaka did not immediately respond to a request for comment.