Andhra Pradesh’s Special Economic Zones(SEZs) have emerged as some of the most strategic trade hubs in India. Beyond their economic significance, SEZs are fast becoming centers of innovation, attracting entrepreneurs who see opportunities beyond conventional models.

In recent years, these zones have not only hosted large-scale industrial projects but also opened doors for niche ventures determined to take Indian excellence worldwide. In this evolving land scape, Sai Rp Enterprises has emerged as a trailblazer, leveraging the SEZ model to position Indian liquor brands on international shelves and redefine the country’s presence in the global travel retail sector.

Sai Rp Enterprises, founded in 2016 by Rajesh Panda, is redefining India’s presence in the global travel retail and duty-free market. Rajesh, a seasoned supply chain professional, drew inspiration from his years in the travel retail industry.

During his international travels, he observed how countries like Vietnam proudly promoted local products to visitors, something missing in India’s airports. “Before 2015, Indian liquor brands had virtually no presence in duty-free retail. Determined to change this, I launched Sai Rp Enterprises, positioning it as a pioneer in promoting Indian spirits globally”, informs Rajesh.

Rajesh’s journey, however, began far from privilege. Coming from a humble background, his grandfather served as a driver in Subhash Chandra Bose’s troop, and his father worked as a mechanical fitter in a textile mill. Rajesh built his success from scratch. Growing up with modest means, he understood people’s aspirations and believed that a small-town individual could make a global impact.

This conviction continues to fuel his mission of placing Indian brands on the world stage. The name Sai Rp reflects Rajesh’s values, ‘Sai’ honors his devotion to Shirdi Sai Baba, while ‘Rp’ signifies his family heritage.

Unlike traditional retailers offering foreign labels, the company exclusively promotes Indian spirits and beverages, and its portfolio includes iconic names like Paul John, India’s first single malt duty-free introduced by Sai Rp Enterprises, along with Rampur, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), and a growing selection of boutique wines and craft spirits.

The company constantly seeks innovative home grown products, giving new players a platform to reach inter -national consumers.

Ensuring Authenticity & Compliance

Sai Rp Enterprises upholds the highest standards of authenticity and compliance in distributing Indian liquors, especially within high-security zones like Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and airports. The company operates within legal frameworks to ensure every process adheres strictly to government regulations.

Leveraging the unique SEZ model, it pioneered a system to seamlessly move products from factories to SEZs as deemed imports and then to Indian airports as deemed exports, extending further to global destinations. This approach not only guarantees transparency but also maintains the integrity of the supply chain. Rajesh invested years in meticulous research, three to four years of studying documentation and processes, before achieving this breakthrough.

Today, the company’s model sets a benchmark for compliance-driven operations in travel retail, assuring partners and consumers of both quality and legitimacy at every stage. “Before bringing any brand on board, I test it along with a panel of experts to ensure it meets the highest quality standards for travel retail. For me, it’s never about chasing every opportunity, it’s about choosing the right brands that can truly succeed”, asserts Rajesh.

We constantly seek innovative homegrown products, giving new players a platform to reach international consumers

A Game-Changing Launch

One of Sai Rp Enterprises’ most defining moments came with the introduction of Paul John, India’s first single malt whisky, into the duty-free market. Rajesh recalls his conversation with Paul P. John, the brand’s chairman, where the challenge was how to position an Indian single malt in international travel retail. Rajesh proposed a bold yet simple strategy, which was to launch a special edition named ‘Mars’ at the prestigious Bangalore Airport.

This event not only marked the debut of an Indian whisky in the Indian duty-free market but also symbolized a turning point for the entire industry. With Bangalore Airport’s unwavering support, Rajesh successfully showcased Indian craftsmanship on a global platform, proving that local brands could compete with the world’s best. This pioneering move earned Sai Rp Enterprises recognition as an industry innovator and set the stage for many more Indian brands to enter travel retail, a legacy that continues to inspire the market today.

Expanding Horizons

Sai Rp Enterprises is charting an ambitious path for the future, focused on diversification, innovation, and global market expansion. The company envisions transforming the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Andhra Pradesh into a strategic hub for international trade.

Leveraging the cost-effective and duty-free advantages of SEZs, Sai Rp Enterprises plans to introduce unique global products to the Indian market, beyond liquor, while simultaneously strengthening its portfolio of premium Indian spirits for export.

One of the key milestones in the roadmap is setting up a state-of-the-art liquor manufacturing plant within the SEZ, a first-of-its-kind initiative in this zone. This facility will not only streamline production but also position the company as a major player in both domestic and international travel retail. We want to create a world-class platform where Indian brands can compete globally while enabling international brands to enter India through a compliant, efficient route. We aim to make Andhra Pradesh a focal point for premium beverage and lifestyle products in the years ahead”, concludes Rajesh.