Srinagar, November 1 (PTI) Private airline Go First on Monday signed a pact with the United Arab Emirates-based Lulu Group to transport cargo from Srinagar to Sharjah.

Go First was the first airline to launch a direct international connection from the Kashmir Valley and is now also the first airline to launch international cargo services in the sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Go First Head (Corporate Affairs) Mohit Dwivedi and Lulu Group Director Salim MA, in the presence of the Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce, and the Administrative Secretary, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Jammu. and Kashmir, Ranjan Thakur.

Group director Lulu said there were immense export opportunities in Kashmir.

“On behalf of the Lulus, I am very grateful to the government of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the government of India for giving us the opportunity to come to Kashmir. We are quite surprised to see the immense opportunities that we have. have for exports from here.

“As Lulu, we will be able to take lots of fruits, vegetables, antiques and crafts and much more items. We assure you that we will do our best to export goods from Kashmir,” said Salim. MY.

The Go First expressed its joy at becoming the first airline to transport cargo from here to the Gulf countries.

“On behalf of Go First, I would like to thank the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lulu Group and the Government of India, for giving us this opportunity to take over the cargo for the Gulf countries. are satisfied with this agreement, ”said Go First. said Dwivedi.

He said the airline would start operations from December of this year.

Describing the MoU as a historic opportunity, Thakur said Lulu is the largest retailer in the Gulf region and his presence will benefit farmers, producers and artisans here.

“This MoU is a further development of J&K MoU with the government of Dubai. The LuLu Group will source horticultural, agricultural and craft products from J&K. There will be many more in the future.” , did he declare.

Thakur added that this will provide an opportunity for our farmers, producers, weavers and artisans to access a large market and Lulu will get a good product to sell to their customers. “It’s a win-win situation. Logistical support has been provided by Go First and the Lulu Group will take care of the marketing. We are just facilitators.”

He said the goal is to get farmers to make a profit.

“This will get a better price in short-term transit on a long-term basis, with easy access. This is the world that opens up to J&K. At the moment, the cargo will be caught in the daily flight, but we can also deploy a freighter when the time comes, ”he said.

Thakur said the Go First flight between Srinagar and Sharjah, which currently operates four days a week, will soon become a daily flight and will bridge the gap between J&K and the Gulf region and in particular to the Dubai and Sharjah regions. .

“We will have many opportunities through their retailers (Lulu). The Lulu group was already exporting apples. Their foray into J&K indicates our seriousness and our efforts.

“I have to congratulate the folks at J&K and hope for a much more meaningful relationship in the future as well. We also hope that the Lulu Group will have a permanent presence at J&K,” he said.