Despite geopolitical tensions, a charter flight carrying 98 tons of Vietnamese agricultural products, operated by MAY Exports Vietnam, departed from Tan Son Nhat International Airport bound for the UAE on May 10.
The flight was executed under the direction of Mr. M.A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group, with direct coordination by Mr. Mirash Basheer, the company’s Director.
According to the Department of Foreign Market Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this marks the second consecutive time this world-leading retail giant has organized a specialized flight to transport Vietnamese produce, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to exert significant pressure on international maritime shipping routes.
The department noted that current global supply chain disruptions have led to soaring logistics costs and unstable sea freight delivery times. In this context, maintaining dedicated charter flights for fresh agricultural goods is not merely a stopgap solution; it reflects the rapid adaptability of Vietnamese businesses amidst the unpredictable fluctuations of international trade.
Notably, while many international enterprises remain cautious due to regional instability, LuLu Group has taken the opposite approach: expanding procurement and boosting imports from Vietnam. This is seen as a clear signal of the trust Middle Eastern importers place in Vietnam's production capacity, quality standards, and ability to fulfill large orders.
That two consecutive charter flights were conducted within a short timeframe paves the way for the potential establishment of a regular air cargo route between Vietnam and the UAE in the near future.
If realized, this will serve as a vital foundation to stabilize the supply of Vietnamese produce across LuLu Hypermarket’s extensive network—a retail chain with wide coverage throughout the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) markets. It is also expected to create a positive spillover effect for Vietnam’s agricultural exports to the broader Middle East region.
Beyond its commercial significance, the department emphasized that this event further reinforces Vietnam’s increasingly vital role in the global agricultural supply chain.
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