A Boeing 777 which is being used on Emirates’s Dubai-Adelaide route. Photo: Emirates Airlines
The South Australian government is making the most of direct daily flights between Adelaide and UAE and an upcoming free trade agreement (FTA).
The Aust-UAE FTA is due to take effect around June.
The state government says the return of daily Emirates flights to Adelaide last October gave exports almost 200 tonnes in weekly direct air freight capacity.
For products like yoghurt, with shelf-lives as short as 14 days, the direct link saves on travel time for the goods by avoiding other airports.
Yoghurt Shop Coo Brandon Reynolds says he is thrilled to be part of the growing opportunities.
“The new direct air freight options and reduced trade barriers allow us to deliver our premium yoghurt to UAE consumers faster and more efficiently than ever before,” he says.
“Our partnerships … have been instrumental in introducing South Australian quality to the Middle East.
“We’re excited to deepen these relationships.”
He says they are taking part in next month’s Gulfood food and beverage trade show in Dubai (February 17-21) to help grow their presence in the UAE and wider region.
TRADE DELEGATION
To make the most of the recently signed Aust-UAE deal, Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs is now leading a delegation to Dubai.
The team will meet with investors and businesses there and then head to India for meetings with food and agriculture importers, as well as tech, space and defence companies.
The government says ABS trade statistics reveal that the UAE displaced Singapore as a destination for South Australian products.
Total exports to the UAE are now worth $254 million to the state economy each year.
Szakacs says they have been “buoyed” by the expansion of air freight options but “we know the job is far from over and we need to strike while the iron is hot”.
“The UAE is an important partner for South Australia and connects us with the broader Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Europe,” he says.
“It’s therefore crucial that our government continues to work closely with local businesses and with government and business officials in the UAE.”
