The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives joins hands with Thai AirAsia to establish the “Export Agricultural Products Quarantine One Stop Service” at Don Mueang Airport to facilitate the speedy and efficient dispersion of goods across ASEAN and the world with the center expected to officially open for service this October.
Mr.Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed after the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony for the “Export AgriculturalProducts Quarantine One Stop Service” between the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, represented by Deputy Permanent Secretary Somchai Charnnarongkul, and Thai AirAsia Plc., represented by Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer, Tassapon Bijleveld, that his ministry and the airline joined hands to establish the center to advance the transport of goods by air as to support Thai agricultural products entering the ASEAN and world markets.
The Minister explained that the speedy transfer of goods provides an advantage to business operators, especially for agricultural products such as plants, vegetables, fruits and food, which must be transported quickly to maintain their quality. Thai AirAsia is serving as an ally to the ministry, renovating its facilities, upgrading its information technology and providing expert support. The airline’s cargo service and extensive network along with other air logistics service providers will facilitate the export of agricultural products.
The minister pointed out that Thai AirAsia is a high potential private company as it serves domestic routes and international routes that span across ASEAN and China, providing a good opportunity for Thai exporters of agricultural goods.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has allotted space in Don Mueang International Airport’sCargo Terminal 2 for the “Export Agricultural Products Quarantine One Stop Service” and has integrated relevant agencies such as the Customs Department and offices that inspect the export quality of agricultural products to serve the center. The preparations were designed to make exporting farm goods easier, especially for small-sized operators.
“After today’s signing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Thai AirAsia Plc. will begin full cooperation to establish the ‘Export Agricultural Products Quarantine One Stop Service’. We expect it to be complete within three months from the day Don Mueang Airport hands over the center’s space and that it will be officially open for service this October, 2015 onward” Mr. Pitipong remarked.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia Plc., stated that Thai AirAsia is proud to be cooperating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on a mission of national importance. He explained the airline would take charge of renovating the center’s space, its information technology and providing a team of experts to the center as to make it a one stop service for exporters.
“Thai AirAsia will be using the potential of our extensive network of destinations both domestic and across ASEAN and China as well as our high frequency of flights across all routes to the fullest. Presently, Thai AirAsia operates 27 international routes and 24 domesticroutes, flying over 140 flights per day. We are confident we will be able to serve the needs of agricultural products exporters” Mr. Tassapon said.