Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is expanding its operations in the Indian subcontinent following the recent launch of Emirates services to Sialkot, the airline’s fifth route in Pakistan.

The cargo unit now offers a weekly capacity into and out of the region of 10,900 tonnes.

“With the new service to Sialkot, which is a major manufacturing hub in Pakistan, we are creating a new lane that will give local businesses access to trade opportunities across Emirates SkyCargo global network of more than 130 destinations, particularly in Europe, the US, Australia and the Middle East,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo.

With the addition of Sialkot, Emirates will operate 63 flights a week between Dubai and Pakistan offering 1,400 tonnes of cargo to Pakistan, giving a 5 per cent boost to cargo capacity.

“When combined with the efficiency of one of the youngest fleets in the skies, unrivalled ground-handling facilities, and the very latest information technology, Emirates SkyCargo is the ideal partner for Sialkot based businesses as they look to boost trade,” added Sultan.

The Dubai-Sialkot service is operated four times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) by an Airbus A330-200, providing a total weekly cargo capacity of up to 68 tonnes per direction, giving a boost to trade opportunities.

Key Sialkot exports include sports goods and clothing, gloves, surgical instruments, cutlery, ceramics and leather garments, and will be transported to the UAE and throughout Europe, US, Australia and Middle East. In the other direction, raw materials for manufacturing these products will be the leading commodities imported from Europe and the Middle East.

Current bilateral trade between the UAE and Pakistan stands at $7.6 billion, indicating the remarkable potential of the new trade route. Today, 27 Emirati companies operate in Pakistan in an array of sectors including telecommunications, banking and aviation. The volume of business through joint ventures stands at $21 billion. – TradeArabia News Service