DUBAI's flag carrier Emirates is making Africa the new frontier of its air cargo market and the place to watch is as it moves from developing country to developed country status, reports Nairobi 's Capital Business.

" Africa has got the potential you rarely find anywhere else," said Emirates vice president Ram Menen, adding that it will enjoy double digit air cargo growth in the next two to five years.

"Leapfrogging technology is one reason we are putting more commitment, more production into the African market. The air cargo relationship to GDP is that its growth is twice the size of world GDP. So once you have the air cargo numbers, you can tell what the GDP will be," he said.

Emirates moved 25,000 tonnes of Kenyan exports and imports, which included telecom equipment, computer accessories and automotive spare parts.

Mr Menen conceded there are "temporary blips" with the current downturn, especially in where demand for fruit and vegetables has slackened, but mid-term and long term future prospects are bright.

Year-on-year to end of September exports dropped by 25 per cent to 18,664 tonnes which was in direct proportion to the drought the horticulture area suffered.

But Emirates is confident in Africa 's future and has already positioned itself with an increase of daily flights.

Source: www.schednet.com