Assam marked a significant milestone in its agro-forest economy with the first legally approved export of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), opening a new chapter for an industry with vast global demand and strong revenue potential.
The consignment, comprising 100 kg of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and 12 kg to the UAE, was dispatched from the cargo terminal of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday (May 13, 2026). The shipment was valued at ₹2.35 crore.
The consignment was exported after securing all statutory clearances, including a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit and a restricted export licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Jehirul Islam, the chairman of the All Assam Agarwood Planters and Traders’ Association and the founder-chairman of the MJI Group, flagged off the shipment.
“This achievement is the result of years of research, policy advocacy, farmer engagement, plantation development, processing innovation and international compliance efforts,” he said.
