German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), a Non-profit developmental Organisation of German Government under its SME Financing and Development Programme, has rolled out its first plan for promoting pharma cluster in Hyderabad by agreeing to support the feasibility study for Commom Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for the Nalgonda Cluster.

As part of the cluster development strategy, GTZ has signed up Memorandum of understanding with Nalgonda Drug Manufacturers' Association (NDMA) and Drugs and Pharmaceutical Association (DPMA) to collaborate in strengthening the competitiveness of units in the cluster. cGMP, Waste water management plan, commom effluent treatment plant and Export Market facilitation were identified as major areas of intervention in the first phase.

Driven by Supreme Court guidelines and Governmental regulations, Environmental Compliance has emerged as a major concern for the industry. cGMP and facilitation for export marketing are essential to increase sales both in domestic and international market while upgradation of waste water treatment at the unit level has become mandatory.

"Through these four areas, we propose to support 100-120 units in the Hyderabad pharma cluster in a span of one year. GTZ aims to enhance the sales, profits and income of the units besides ensuring greater access to bank credit. The support from GTZ is extended in the form of facilitation and grant for the activities considered essential by the cluster stakeholders," N Gurumurthy, senior technical specialist of German Technical Cooperation, said.

To increase access to Bank finance, GTZ has signed up with State Bank of India as a partner bank and empanelled more than 20 Chartered Accountants and retired bank officials to prepare bankable proposals for the clients. The organization is also considering empanelling marketing executives to establish links among units, associations, partner banks and financial consultants.

The organization is also in talks with large pharma companies like Aurobindo Pharma to explore supply chain financing for their suppliers and buyers who are small and medium in size.

Over time, GTZ wishes to increase the areas of collaboration by assisting SMEs in credit rating, private equity and venture funding and strengthening the competency of manpower.

Interested readers may contact N.Gurumurthy, senior technical specialist (FS) on his cell: 9948766994 for any assistance.