The Tk 732-million deal was signed with the firm following a UK recommendation that came after the country banned direct cargo flights from Dhaka.

The two-year contract was signed between the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) and Redline at CAAB office on Monday afternoon.

CAAB’s Acting Director Nurul Islam and Redline’s CEO Paul Mason signed the document in the presence of Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon.

Menon said, “Redline will start working from tomorrow.”

According to Menon, the British company will do the work in three phases. They will provide consultancy, supervise the security set-up, and manage and train airport personnel.

The government decided to upgrade the airport’s security arrangement after the UK cargo ban on Mar 8 led to spiralling losses.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed confirmed the government decision after the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) selected the company at a meeting on Sunday.

The minister hoped the UK would lift the ban soon, now that security revamp was about to get under way.