Dr G. Sambasiva Rao, Founder and Managing Director of Sravan Shipping Services, was elected as the Chairman of Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI), Andhra Pradesh Chapter at its headquarters in Visakhapatnam recently. The registered office of ACFI is at Terminal-2 Arrival, IGI Airport, New Delhi.
Andhra Pradesh presently has 4 international airports – Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati.
The region has a lot of potential for air cargo import and export, with some of the key commodities being pharmaceuticals, prawns, fish, flowers, plants, and spares for industries and ships. Pharma exports currently take place through the Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai airports from the pharma SEZs in Visakhapatnam and the wider region.
Air cargo will also open up opportunities for the MSME sector, women entrepreneurs and the start-up ecosystem, highlighted a release.
In addition, there is potential for import of gold, silver, diamonds etc., with air cargo logistics generating economic activity and employment for the local youth, especially women, in the sector.
In order to create the proper ecosystem, ACFI will work with the state and central governments, especially the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, GMR, Customs, the GST authority, air cargo carriers and other stakeholders to facilitate proper ease of doing business in Andhra Pradesh.
ACFI intends to globally connect Andhra Pradesh airports, as also enable the export of mangoes, fruits and vegetables so that farmers benefit, the release added.