New cargo route boosts Cyprus to Africa trade links

Emirates freight division, Skycargo, has launched a new service on the UAE-Africa trade route, opening up new opportunities for Cypriot firms to trade with Ghana.

Skycargo's 117 tonne capacity Boeing 747 will operate every Friday between Dubai and Ghana, in support of the thriving import and export industry generated by one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

“Ghana is booming at the moment – exporting items such as oil and gas equipment, pineapples, mangoes, a variety of vegetables, fresh fish and lobsters – so strengthening our commitment to West Africa with the introduction of this weekly freighter makes great business sense,” Emirates’ Hiran Perera said.

Emirates has been operating a passenger service to Accra, with a weekly cargo capacity of 120 tonnes each way in the bellyhold of an Airbus A330-200, since 2004. The new service – to Kotoka International Airport - will operate via Lome, Togo, on the outbound journey and return to Dubai through Frankfurt, Germany.

Perera said: “Africa is a key market for Emirates SkyCargo. We already operate to 20 locations and with Harare and Lusaka set to join our network in February 2012, we look forward to contributing to its continued economic development by facilitating more international trade between the continent and our ever-expanding network of more than 110 destinations.”

Goods from Ghana will be distributed from Dubai to locations across the Middle East, Europe (including Cyprus), the Far East and the United States. Goods going into Ghana include electrical equipment, clothing and mobile phones from the Far East and pharmaceuticals from Cyprus and other European countries.

Cyprus Mail