Surat: If all goes well, Diamond City may get international air cargo terminal for export of diamond and gold jewellery, textile fabrics, chemicals etc.
With the world’s largest Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) coming up at Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) city at Khajod, Airports Authority of India (AAI) authorities have reserved space near the domestic cargo terminal for development of international cargo terminal.
Airport director Aman Saini told TOI, “We have made provision for international cargo terminal at the airport and reserved land near the domestic terminal. At present, we are analysing the demand for setting up of international cargo terminal. Proposal regarding this will be sent to higher authorities soon.”
Saini said the infrastructure to handle international cargo movement is ready with presence of customs department at the airport. The AAI is developing 23 parking bays for aircraft, which will be an added advantage.
Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) office-bearers have set up a help desk for promoting cargo business from Surat. In the last one month, inquiries related to international cargo have increased.
SGCCI president Ketan Desai said, “We have been generating inquiries for international cargo from South Gujarat. Majority of the inquiries are coming from diamond sector followed by chemical, horticulture and textiles. We have strongly recommended to the AAI to set up international cargo terminal at the airport.”
Desai added, “The SDB project at Khajod is likely to be completed by the end of 2020 and there will be huge requirement to directly export diamond and jewellery parcels from Surat. The chamber is in talks with a few private airlines for operating international flights to Dubai, Hong Kong and Thailand for tapping the huge potential of cargo movement from Surat.”
Surat Hira Bourse (SHB) chief executive officer KK Sharma told TOI, “It is our long-pending demand for international cargo terminal with adequate flights from the city. At present, we are exporting diamonds and jewellery via Mumbai.”
With the world’s largest Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) coming up at Diamond Research and Mercantile (DREAM) city at Khajod, Airports Authority of India (AAI) authorities have reserved space near the domestic cargo terminal for development of international cargo terminal.
Airport director Aman Saini told TOI, “We have made provision for international cargo terminal at the airport and reserved land near the domestic terminal. At present, we are analysing the demand for setting up of international cargo terminal. Proposal regarding this will be sent to higher authorities soon.”
Saini said the infrastructure to handle international cargo movement is ready with presence of customs department at the airport. The AAI is developing 23 parking bays for aircraft, which will be an added advantage.
Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) office-bearers have set up a help desk for promoting cargo business from Surat. In the last one month, inquiries related to international cargo have increased.
SGCCI president Ketan Desai said, “We have been generating inquiries for international cargo from South Gujarat. Majority of the inquiries are coming from diamond sector followed by chemical, horticulture and textiles. We have strongly recommended to the AAI to set up international cargo terminal at the airport.”
Desai added, “The SDB project at Khajod is likely to be completed by the end of 2020 and there will be huge requirement to directly export diamond and jewellery parcels from Surat. The chamber is in talks with a few private airlines for operating international flights to Dubai, Hong Kong and Thailand for tapping the huge potential of cargo movement from Surat.”
Surat Hira Bourse (SHB) chief executive officer KK Sharma told TOI, “It is our long-pending demand for international cargo terminal with adequate flights from the city. At present, we are exporting diamonds and jewellery via Mumbai.”
