Assam sends first air cargo shipment of fruits to Singapore

Digital Desk: Simon Wong, the Singaporean High Commissioner to India, said on Saturday that Assam's first air cargo shipment of fruits to Singapore has arrived.

The shipment will start a direct agro-export route from the Northeast to Singapore.

Wong expressed his gratitude to Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, for taking this innovative step.

Wong took to his social media 'X' and said, "I am happy to announce the first air cargo shipment of fruits from Assam to Singapore. This will establish a direct agro-export source from the NE to Singapore. We thank Hon CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for this pioneer initiative. - HC Wong"

The office of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to the High Commissioners' post on X with its own post stating that "Assam grown Pineapples, Kaji Lemons, Plums, Jackfruits and Starfruits, directly reached markets in Singapore from Guwahati under a new air cargo link to boost agri-exports."

Assam, which ranks second in pineapple production, produced 338.98 metric tons of pineapple in 2020–21, accounting for 18.75% of all pineapple produced in India. In 2019, Assam also sent its first pineapples to Dubai.

Through the Trade Trust platform, India and Singapore piloted the first live paperless transaction earlier today, marking another significant development in their digital relationship.

"Following the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable & the meeting with PM Modi, we have piloted the first live paperless transaction using the Trade Trust platform. Another milestone in digital connect between Singapore & India- HC Wong," Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong wrote on his social networking site 'X' on Saturday.

Following the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable and the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the transaction took place.

India was one of the first nations to establish diplomatic ties when Singapore gained its independence on August 24, 1965. India and Singapore have a tight connection that is built on their shared political and economic interests.

A bigger framework for activities between the two governments, the business community, and people-to-people contacts is provided by agreements reached between India and Singapore that represent the expanding range of our collaboration.