The India-UAE leg of the strategic India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEE-EC) is set to begin, with a digital platform for information exchange between the two countries’ ports expected to be operational within the first 100 days of the Modi government, according to the media reports. Despite tensions in West Asia affecting the project, the G7 recently expressed strong support for the ambitious multi-country initiative.
The India-UAE sea corridor is divided into five phases, with the second phase focusing on customs connectivity and the third on regulatory agencies.
The IMEE-EC aims to facilitate the seamless movement of cargo from locations like Hajipur in Bihar to Haifa in Israel, requiring common port and customs documentation across countries, as well as standardized equipment and containers in all ports and dry docks.
Once operational, goods from Indian ports could reach Haifa in just 48 hours, contingent upon the construction of missing rail links in parts of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, which is currently under initial assessment involving an Indian public sector company.
“Although we have ships operating between India and UAE, the first phase of the project will synchronize the procedures for cargo and vessel clearances at ports on both sides through digitally enabled platforms, streamlining operation. This will be the beginning of the IMEE-EC and will ensure ease of business,” a source said. Containerized items will be primarily transported through this multinational corridor, operational between ports like Mundra, Nhava Sheva, and Kandla in India, and Jabel Ali in the UAE.
Additionally, the government’s approval for the development of a mega port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra will also be integrated into the IMEE-EC.