Govt approves Guwahati airport as export point for agarwood oil and chips, boosting Assam’s and Northeast’s trade prospects.
The government has permitted exports of agarwood oil and chips from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, according to a notification.
The exports, however, are subject to all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
"The export of Agarwood oil and Agarwood chips (and allied products) has been permitted from LGBI (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi lnternational) Airport, Guwahati," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification.
Agarwood is a rare and highly expensive fragrant wood that forms inside certain Asian evergreen trees.
Assam is widely recognised as the "Agarwood Capital of India".
To protect itself, the tree produces a dark, thick resin that turns the wood into a heavily scented, and dark heartwood.
While the chips are burned as traditional incense, the oil is used in luxury perfumery, cosmetics, and traditional medicine.
The Middle East is the dominant market for agarwood. The other major exporter destinations include Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Europe.
"At the request of Chief Minister @HimantaBiswa ji, the Modi Government has approved Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati, as the export point for Agarwood chips and Agarwood oil," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a social media post.
This is a big relief for farmers, producers, and exporters of this special product, of which Assam is a leading producer, he said, adding that it is a massive logistical leap not only for Assam but also for the Northeast, bringing potential markets closer to home.
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