Emirates SkyCargo, the airfreight division of Dubai primarily based airline Emirates, expects an increase in exports of perishables from India within the subsequent 5 years.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and UAE would give exports of prescribed drugs & perishables additional increase, Dennis Lister, vice chairman, Cargo Commercial Development & UAE Sales at Emirates SkyCargo mentioned.
Stating that India was one of many largest exporters of all kinds of perishables, he mentioned Emirates SkyCargo would unlock the potential by selling Indian perishables at Gulf Food, a contemporary meals convention to be held in UAE.
“We want to invite Indian farmers to Dubai for the Gulf Food Exhibition and we want to introduce them to local and international traders. We have that ability to reach even the smallest SME business anywhere in the world, from the smallest farmer or grower in India and in the UAE to transport their products,” he mentioned.
By supporting Indian farmers and connecting them with potential enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo sees progress alternatives for itself. “We want to grow more out of India, particularly around perishables,” he mentioned.
Since May 2021, it had moved over 2,60,000 tonnes of perishables from agricultural markets, together with India, and has seen a ten% improve yr on yr.
Currently, pharmaceutical merchandise represent 15% of its consignment from India adopted by perishables akin to fruits, greens and flowers which account for 14%. This quantity is anticipated to develop within the CEPA regime. Mr. Lister mentioned the CEPA between India & UAE would improve commerce between India and UAE from $60 billion now to $100 billion in 5 years. “So that means exporters from both ways, not just in the UAE and India but beyond, will benefit by really improving the tariffs and eliminating duties,” he mentioned. “That opens a world of opportunity. And this is also very good for the Indian pharmaceutical companies and now with the CEPA agreement, we can get a lot of the pharmaceuticals fast-track approvals within the UAE,” he added.
India occurs to be one of many largest origins for pharma within the Emirates community. Around 35% of Emirates SkyCargo’s whole pharma tonnage comes from India. It now operates 11 Boeing 777 freighters and flies to Mumbai and Ahmedabad repeatedly. Besides, it makes use of the stomach house out there in additional than 170 weekly passenger flights of Emirates that fly from Dubai to 9 Indian cities. Meanwhile, Emirates SkyCargo mentioned it just lately acquired and inducted a model new Boeing 777 freighter and yet one more can be acquired in June.
In addition, 4 present 777-300 ER passenger plane shall be transformed into freighters by 2024 and one other 6 Boeing 777 300 ERs passenger plane shall be transformed into freighters by 2026. “This means the additional new capacity will benefit the Indian market as well,” he mentioned.
Source: www.thehindu.com
