By IANS
Kolkata : Popular Indian vegetables like lady’s finger, French beans and gourds have turned out to be the hottest products being airlifted out of Kolkata in large quantities to countries in the Gulf.
Seasonal fruits like mango, pineapple and jackfruit are also in great demand. While fish like pomfret are exported to Kuwait, Emirates Skycargo is also looking at lifting fresh meat from the city.
The airline had recently carried 40 tonnes of flower bulbs from Kalimpong and south Bengal to Dubai on passenger flights. From Dubai the flower bulbs were sent to various places in Europe and the Far East.
“The demand for perishables is on the rise. Once the cold storage facility comes at the new cargo terminal in Kolkata in September, exports will receive further boost,” Emirates Skycargo senior vice-president Ram C. Menen said here.
Processed leather and leather goods, however, comprise about 55 percent of the total goods exported. The carrier also carries jewellery crafted by goldsmiths in West Bengal that command the highest prices in the Gulf.
Prompted by 19 percent growth in exports in the first half of the year, Emirates is also planning to start freighter operations from the city. “There is tremendous growth potential in eastern India and freighter operations from Kolkata are on the drawing board,” Menen said.
With Emirates Skycargo set to add 19 planes to its 11-freighter fleet over the next six years, the carrier will have enough aircraft to introduce a freighter service to the city. While the carrier operates freighters from Dubai to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai at present, it could link Kolkata to a cargo hub in China.