A globally operating Merck Marker with investment of over Rs 5 crore (Pak Currency) and sales of its pharmaceutical products worth Rs 180 crore during 2002, intends to make more investment in Pakistan with the focus on its plant in Quetta. This was stated by Merck Marker Managing Director Juergen Koenig, while speaking at a media get-together hosted by the company recently.

Koenig said that his concern would continue to make more investment in the improvement and development of its pharmaceutical plant in Quetta. The first phase of the plant's modernisation, Koenig added, would be completed by September this year. The pharmaceutical areas of the plant under expansion includes production of drugs, medicines and injections for diabetes, cardiology, nutrition, infection neuropathies and pain.

It is an export-oriented plant, which is exporting its surplus produce, products and injections to foreign countries, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and better chances of capturing pharmaceutical market in Iraq. On the one side, the plant is earning sizeable foreign exchange for Pakistan, while on the other, it is providing employment to skilled and unskilled workers.

- (Business Recorder)