The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed interest in securing the ground handling contract at the upcoming third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), a ministry press release said.

UAE Ambassador Abdulla Ali Abdulla Alhmoudi raised the prospect of dnata — the Dubai-based aviation services giant — operating ground handling services at the terminal during a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat at the ministry.

State Minister Millat said Dhaka would defer any formal decision until the terminal's Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process was fully completed, after which all interested parties would be duly informed.

"The government remains committed to taking every necessary step to enhance the quality of services at our airports," Minister Khanam said.

Ambassador Alhmoudi reaffirmed his country's resolve to work closely with the current Bangladeshi administration, with both sides emphasising the need to deepen bilateral cooperation in aviation and tourism.