From Sandeep Sharma
GUWAHATI: The famous ‘Bhut Zolokia’ Nagaland’s chilli was exported for the first time from the Gateway of North East Region- Guwahati to London via Air India Flight today from the International Cargo complex of AIi’s LGBI Airport, Guwahati.
The flagging off ceremony was done by the Chief Guest S. Sasikumar, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade and Ravi Kant, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, North East Region in the presence of Lal Mohan Thakur, Commandant, CISF at the Guwahati Air cargo complex.
Addressing the media, Ravi Kant said that the occasion was special in nature because the Geographical Index ‘Bhut Zolokia’ being the unique product of the Northeastern region of India was getting exported from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) International cargo complex of Guwahati.
“We are very excited that the cargo export potential from the North East region airports will grow which will benefit the local food producing organisation, especially the local farmers. AAICLAS has developed standard facilities in air cargo complex for enabling export of NER produce to the Domestic as well as International markets,” he said.
The Indian economy is on a high trajectory of growth and requires upgraded facilities in the logistic space to cater to the growing needs of trade and the air cargo industry.
The International cargo facility at Guwahati Airport is ready to handle 700 MT cargo with Customs, EDI connectivity to process export and import shipments by positioning plant quarantine desk, cold storage, dangerous goods shed and all the necessary security equipment like CCTV, Door framed Metal Detector/Hand held Metal Detector (DFMD/HHMD), X-Ray machine, Explosive trace detectors etc.
‘I am very pleased to issue a Phytosanitary Certificate for Naga chilli, which is for the first time going from Assam to the United Kingdom. This certificate is globally acceptable for plant and plant products from our country to any foreign country. The PSC is to be issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and storage, Plant Quarantine station, Guwahati. Three shipments of organic Assamese Lemon were also certified and sent to the United Kingdom a couple of days ago. Again yesterday and today the betel leaves shipment is also going to the United Kingdom. On Saturday we planned to send Colocasia to the United Kingdom and from next week we would be certifying daily one or two shipments from NER to all European Countries’, said Dr. Vageesh Pandey, Assistant Director, Plant Quarantine Station, Guwahati
Informing more about the export consignment, Nazeer A S. Basha, Dy GM, AAI’s Cargo wing (AAICLAS), NER said that ‘Bhut Zolokia’, Naga Chili, procured from Kohima and parts of Nagaland, consists of 250kg as a sample shipment along with 500 kgs of betel leaf, is proceeding to London from the Guwahati Air Cargo Complex.
“Earlier we had sent 1200 kgs of Tripura’s Jackfruits to Frankfurt, and we are regularly sending perishable cargo to London, Dubai, Hong Kong and Frankfurt from this gateway port”, informed Basha.
“Under the Krishi UDAN, North East Region airports have airlifted near about 2000 MT to mainland India and as extended legs we have exported to various foreign destinations for more than 25 spices by offering 50% subsidy on freight and storage charges under the Government of India’s ‘Operation Green.’ This is a boon for the farmers of NER which will help them grow their business and double their income which is also our Prime Minister’s Mission’, Basha added.
Earlier the Guwahati Airport cargo terminal has exported local agri-products and fruits including lemon, ginger, betel leaves, veggies of various types to various parts of the country and to foreign destinations which are mostly organic in nature having high demand in Domestic and International markets.
The function was attended by the officials and employees from Air India, Customs, AAI Cargo Logistic & Allied Services (AAICLAS) company Ltd, CISF personnel, APEDA, FPPO officials and airport officials.
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