Etihad Cargo partners to develop better perishables airfreight management
23 / 01 / 2024
First row: Elena Sorlini, MD and interim CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports; Etihad Airways chief executive Antonoaldo Neves; and Suresh Vaidhyanathan, chief executive, Abu Dhabi Food Hub. Photo: IHC
Etihad Cargo, Abu Dhabi Airports and Abu Dhabi Food Hub KEZAD have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly establish an origin-to-destination perishable air corridor known as the ‘Fresh Corridor 2.0’.
The initiative aims to support the diversification of food sources, development of new trade corridors and enhance the choice and variety of products available for regional consumers.
The partnership aims to help position the UAE as a key node in global food supply chains. The partners seek to establish a robust process for food trading and investment, which includes advanced infrastructure, access to regional consumer markets, and reliable logistics and connectivity worldwide.
The three parties have agreed to an exchange of knowledge and expertise in handling, storage and logistics, food safety, and hygiene.
The partners also aim to address the evolving demands of the food trade by liaising with government stakeholders, relevant facilitators, and key contributors from the food ecosystem.
Etihad Airways chief executive Antonoaldo Neves said: “Etihad Cargo is committed to the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 and is proud to be an active partner in the launch of the region’s largest food wholesale market – Abu Dhabi food hub at KEZAD. Etihad Cargo customers will benefit from the expanded infrastructure as a strategic hub in the Middle East to the rest of the world.”
Elena Sorlini, managing director and interim chief executive, Abu Dhabi Airports, added: “Our collective proposition to facilitate trade in and out of the UAE will further support the commercial development of the emirate as a global food centre. We are delighted to be a part of this MoU along with Etihad Cargo and Abu Dhabi Food Hub. The launch of the Fresh Corridor 2.0 will encourage two-way food trade between the UAE and the rest of the world bringing food products into the UAE but also taking our ‘Made in the UAE’ products to the world in a bold step towards diversification and growth of imports and exports”.
Abu Dhabi Food Hub – KEZAD is the region’s largest and first dedicated food wholesale market and logistic hub.
