SCHIPHOL CARGO MOVE TO FOSTER INDIAN PHARMA TRADE

Along with Schiphol Cargo, the event is being co-hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment – whose Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen will deliver the welcoming keynote speech –and the Confederation of Indian Industries.

The event will deal with three key issues:  market access (understanding and satisfying European compliance and approval processes); fiscal representation (by which Indian pharma companies can rationalise duties and VAT for all shipments into Europe);  and the vital role of efficient logistics to and throughout Europe (Customs procedures, optimising the supply chain and avoiding bottlenecks).

Each of the individual topics will be covered by one Indian and one Dutch expert speaker, followed by a QandA session led by moderator Mr. Radharaman Panicker,  MD and CEO of handling agent CSC India Ltd.

Enno Osinga, Senior VP Cargo, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will chair the discussion on  efficient logistics, for delegates who will include some 60 representatives from Indian pharma, biotech and lifesciences companies, and 18 experts from 12 major Netherlands-based logistics companies which have in-depth experience of airfreight for the sector.

Also present at the event will be Dutch non-profit organisation Bioport Europe, which assists Indian life sciences companies to enter the European market by connecting them with government agencies, and with private companies offering business, financial and legal services.

Says Enno Osinga: “The potential for airfreight growth in the Indian pharma, biotech and life sciences sectors is vast. But, given the time- and temperature-critical nature of their products, efficient logistics is vitally important to their success.

“Amsterdam is already home to a strong life sciences community, including many educational establishments and businesses, which means that opportunities for partnerships and knowledge exchange are abundant. In addition, Amsterdam is ideally-placed as a distribution centre for most of Europe, already has impressive air connections and logistics facilities in place, and has the full support of local government and Customs in further developing its role as Europe’s distribution hub.

“This event is designed to illustrate the opportunities, to stimulate networking between Indian and Dutch companies, and to provide practical advice on first steps. At Schiphol Cargo we support and facilitate all initiatives such as this, which will benefit our airport community and local economy.”

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Cargo at a glance:

• third largest cargo airport in Europe
• seventeenth largest cargo airport in the world
• Schiphol’s air cargo community employs over 26,000 people.
• 1.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2010 (target 3 million tonnes by 2021)
• 301 scheduled airline destinations in 90+ countries
• 106 scheduled airlines
• 24 scheduled freighter operators
• Highest share of (non-integrator) maindeck capacity in Europe
• 386,319 air transport movements in 2010
• One dedicated cargo area
• 25 dedicated full freighter stands
• 5 main runways, ranging from 3,400 – 3,800 metres in length
• Ready to handle multiple A380s and B747-8s
• Ten cargo handling companies
• 525,000 m2 of cargo warehouses, of which 60% have direct air side access
• 11,000 m2 of new cargo buildings under construction with direct air side access
• Airside access for logistic service providers
• Over 150 logistic service providers situated at or in vicinity of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
• Over 50% of all American and Asian European Distribution Centres located at or near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
• Airport-seaport synergies: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol close to Ports of Rotterdam and  Amsterdam
• Unparalleled European road feeder and distribution network
• Over 25 trucking companies operate at the airport