Pharma exports from North Andhra will get a shot in the arm with the decision of Pharmaceutical Export Council of India (Pharmexcil) deciding to set up a campus in Visakhapatnam.
Pharmexcil set up by Ministry of Commerce with headquarters at Hyderabad has already zeroed in on an area of two acres adjoining Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) at Parawada for opening of its first office in Andhra Pradesh along with various facilities, which include a skill development centre.
“We are very much excited over the response to our visit to Visakhapatnam for getting a suitable site. Vizag MP K. Haribabu, District Collector N. Yuvaraj and senior officials of APIIC have shown keen interest to facilitate establishment of our office in Visakhapatnam. We will go ahead with the proposal once we get nod from the Ministry of Commerce and our board,” Pharmexcil Director General Dr. P.V. Appaji told The Hindu .
Pharmexcil facilitates registrations, holds buyers-sellers meetings, disseminate trade enquiries and give policy suggestions and consultancy services for export promotion of bulk drugs, intermediaries and formulations. JNPC is spread over 2,400 acres, of which 611 acres has Special Economic Zone status. As of now, land has been allotted to little over 100 units – half of them have started production. The units from Pharma City record a turnover of Rs.7,000 crore.
Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram are emerging as a pharma hub with big companies like Aurobindo Pharma, Hospira, Eisai, Mylan and Reddy’s Lab setting up their units.
The Pharmexcil complex is also expected to house the offices of Director General of Foreign Trade, Drug Control Administration, convention centre, library and other facilities. Lauding the decision to locate the office of Pharmexcil at Parawada, JNPC CEO Lal Krishna said this would help boost pharma exports from the region.
Pharmexcil complex is expected to house the offices of Director General of Foreign Trade, Drug Control Administration, convention centre, library and other facilities
