Chronicle Pharmabiz spoke to a few participants about their experiences at CPhI last year and their expectations from the current event

"Last year we had exhibited in CPhI exhibition and we found the experience to be very good. We have concluded a sizeable business because of CPhI. We have got a good lead of customers and new businesses from this event. We are therefore exhibiting in the event this year. CPhI is the right place for more opportunities in international business"

Mr. R Kumar, Enzal Chemicals

"CPhI is becoming bigger and bigger in terms of visitors, exhibitors, participants. This event is becoming hectic in terms of time scheduling. Overall it's a successful event. It's an important and crucial event where we get an opportunity to meet existing and new customers. This year the event is much bigger in terms of more visitors and exhibitors etc. (At CPhI we found) most of the time due to time constraints we have to stay at one place. In terms of participants people have very little time to visit all the stalls and they often tend to miss the prior-fixed appointments.

The event is very crowded due to too many halls and too many people. Takes away a lot of time. But over all a very good event and useful to us. We have faced the time constraint and so have many of our customers."

Mr. V A Kulkarni, USV Ltd.

"Response from CPhI has been very good. For every CPhI event we do not get business but we definitely get good proposals. It is a good platform for buyers-sellers to meet and discuss matters pertaining to business. CPHI gives an opportunity to generate new markets. We also look for that which is very important.

This is a good place for meeting new customers, new markets and new businesses. CPhI marks the beginning of most Indian manufacturing marketing strategies.

This year we are basically targeting the following matters:
1. We have wide customer base - more than 40 countries are participating in this event. We have the opportunity to meet all possible existing customers who are visiting and discuss various business factors.
2. To meet new customers from new countries and also the existing customers.
3. To check the possibility of market for new products which are under R&D level or under development.
Limitations: Year after year the organizers are increasing the number of stalls. So earlier the focus was on each and every factor. Earlier the visitors were very happy to visit every stall and check the possibility of business. Now as stalls have increased, visitors seem to be more confused and don't get time to focus on important issues as they have to cover a lot of stalls and matters simultaneously."

Mr. Jay Kumar, Supriya Chemicals

"CPhI is a very good event. It is always arranged very systematically and methodically. There is a sense of professionalism in organizing the event. This conference is mainly on pharmaceutical ingredients and it gives an opportunity for manufacturers of ingredients to expose or exhibit their products grounds.

I have been visiting CPhI for the last six years. But I feel this year there is going to be an increase in the percentage of visitors and exhibitors. Indian exhibitors are also in huge numbers. Last year we got good response in terms of business.

Since the list of exhibitors is already available on the Net, if we do the groundwork and plan our schedules accordingly none of the appointments will be cancelled. Overall a big success last year and this year is going to be still great"

Mr. Pradhan, Pharmaceutical Coatings