Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, a leading international airline, is now able to connect three points in South America with trade opportunities in more than 100 destinations.

This follows the recent launch of a daily passenger service from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

In addition to the belly-hold capacity of the 14 passenger flights each week between Dubai and Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires, it also offers cargo space on the 14 passenger flights it operates each week between Dubai and South America’s largest city Sao Paulo.

The capacity on these two routes – both served by Boeing 777-300ERs – is bolstered further by Emirates SkyCargo’s dedicated freighter service to Sao Paulo three times a week, which provides a further 620 tonnes of capacity on Boeing 777Fs.

“Emirates’ new direct flight will not only boost trade ties with the UAE, but also with South America’s main partners in the Far East, such as China, Hong Kong and Japan, and numerous points throughout Europe,” said Robert Siegel, manager Cargo Commercial – Europe & Americas.

“This new linked service to two of the most economically vibrant cities in South America will present many new business opportunities and reinforces Emirates SkyCargo’s commitment to the market and to the bustling UAE-South America trade route,” added Siegel.

“We also expect to stimulate trade, mainly in pharmaceuticals and automotive parts, between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires – and with Emirates being the only wide-body operator at both destinations, we are also bringing enhanced cargo solutions to the market.”

According to the Arab-Brazilian Trade Board, Brazilian exports to countries in the Middle East totalled $13.8 billion in 2011, representing a growth of 22 per cent over 2010. Exports to the UAE reached $2 billion, an increase of 19 per cent on the previous year.

Brazilian imports from the Middle East also registered a significant increase, totalling $9.3 billion, which was a rise of 44 per cent on the previous year.

Meanwhile, the Arab-Argentinean Trade Board said exports from Argentina to the Gulf totalled $877 million in 2011 (January to September), representing a growth of 13 per cent on the same period in 2010, while imports from the Gulf totalled $74 million during these months.

Exports to the UAE rose to $280 million and imports from the UAE hit $S28 million between January and September 2011.

Also, with the new Emirates SkyCargo service being the only non-stop service from Rio de Janeiro to the Middle East - and the fastest route to Asia - trade is also expected to be generated from other South American countries.

Emirates SkyCargo can connect South American businesses to 19 points in the Far East and Australasia and a further 20 in Africa, where there is also huge potential, especially in Angola, a route which will provide considerable traffic in household goods and consumer products, according to a statement. – TradeArabia News Service