Aramex Targets Global Growth for Indian Exporters Through GMR Airports Partnership

Aramex aims to connect Indian manufacturers more directly with consumers worldwide, with its recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GMR Airports supporting that goal. The partnership raises an important question: how could it change the way Indian exporters reach international markets?

In this interview with Libin Chacko Kurian of STAT Publishing Group, Amadou Diallo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aramex, explains the thinking behind the agreement. Speaking at Aramex’s Navi Mumbai office as the company marks 30 years in India, he discusses faster shipment cut-off times, greater flexibility for manufacturers and more direct links to overseas customers.

The conversation also explores Aramex’s wider growth strategy. From its partnership with China’s Lingang Group to its digital technology operations in Pune, Diallo explains how local expertise can help connect more entrepreneurs with international markets. “Our ambition is to decomplicate trade, simplify access,” he says.

This approach also informs his views on tariffs, geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions. “You can make crossing a border complicated, but you cannot stop trade.” He explains how multimodal logistics solutions can keep shipments moving when traditional transport routes become difficult to access.

Looking ahead, Diallo sees opportunities in data centres, energy, automotive, clothing and food. He believes logistics strategies should begin with the needs of customers in emerging markets, with transport options selected accordingly. “China and India are the manufacturing platforms of the world,” he says, highlighting the importance of connecting smaller suppliers and cities to global trade networks.

Africa and healthcare provide further examples of this approach. Diallo discusses how Indian entrepreneurs can serve African consumers and why improving access to affordable medicines remains important. He also explains how Aramex’s healthcare hub in Dubai supports this effort, alongside plans to replicate similar capabilities across Asia, Europe and Africa.

The interview also touches on Hyderabad, lessons from his career at DHL and his ambition to develop logistics services with less bureaucracy. He concludes by outlining Aramex’s vision for its next phase of growth: “The future of global logistics is anchored in our market (Global South), and it starts with India.”