Sambasiva Rao to head Air Cargo Forum of India

Visakhapatnam: Dr G Sambasiva Rao has been elected as the Chairman of the Air Cargo Forum India (ACFI), Andhra Pradesh Chapter, headquartered at Visakhapatnam.

Rao said Andhra Pradesh presently has four international airports — Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati — offering immense potential for air cargo operations. Major opportunities exist for exports of pharmaceuticals, marine products (prawns and fish), flowers, plants, industrial and ship spares, as well as for imports of gold, silver, and diamonds, which will enhance economic and employment opportunities, especially for local youth and women in the logistics sector. He said currently, pharmaceutical exports from the pharma SEZs at Visakhapatnam, VSEZ, and APSEZ are routed through airports in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Strengthening air cargo connectivity within Andhra Pradesh will benefit industries, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startups, particularly in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Visakhapatnam districts. To develop a robust air cargo ecosystem in the State, ACFI will collaborate with the State and Central Governments, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, GMR, Customs, GST, air cargo carriers, and other stakeholders to promote ease of doing business in Andhra Pradesh, he said.