The North News
Chandigarh, March 13
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured UAE Ambassador to India, Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, that he will take up the issue of direct air connectivity between Punjab and UAE cities with the Union Civil Aviation Minister. Mann hopes to secure approval for UAE-based airlines to operate direct flights from Chandigarh and Amritsar.
During a key meeting in Chandigarh, Mann and Dr Alshaali explored ways to strengthen trade, investment, and cultural ties between Punjab and the UAE. The Chief Minister underscored that improved connectivity would boost economic cooperation and ease travel for businesspersons, professionals, and the Punjabi diaspora.
Currently, travelers from Punjab must go through Delhi for flights to the UAE, a logistical hurdle Mann hopes to remove. “Direct flights will not only enhance economic ties but also simplify travel for thousands of NRIs,” he said.
Dr Alshaali emphasized the importance of additional direct flights from Amritsar and Chandigarh airports to UAE hubs, highlighting the benefits for trade, tourism, and investment.
Mann pitched Punjab as a prime destination for UAE investments, citing the state’s strengths in agriculture, industry, and business. He noted Punjab’s role in food security, especially in dairy and agri-processing, and proposed potential collaborations in IT, logistics, healthcare, and education.
To streamline future engagements, both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to explore areas of mutual interest and drive investment strategies.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to expanding economic ties and fostering long-term partnerships between Punjab and the UAE.
Senior officials present included Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Tejveer Singh, and CEO Invest Punjab Amit Dhaka.
