Japanese pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in forging collaboration with Indian counter-parts for contract manufacturing and conducting clinical trials in India, Ram Vilas Paswan, union minister for chemicals and fertilizers, has said. The minister had recently led a delegation of industrialists to Japan to promote the forthcoming India Chem 2006 exhibition. Over 30 Japanese drug/chemical companies have confirmed their participation in the event, Paswan informed.

According to the minister, two Japanese companies, Eisai Chemical Ltd and Mitsubishi Chemicals Company, have expressed desire to make investments in India. While Eisai is planning to set up a new manufacturing unit and R&D facility either at Vizag or Indore, Mitsubishi is to expand the capacity of Purified Teraphtahlic Acid manufacturing facility at Haldia from 4,70,000 tons to 12,70,000 tons through an additional investment of Rs 1665 crores, Paswan said.

Among the Japanese companies that have shown interest in participating in India Chem are JETRO and JIBCC.

"India Chem 2006 is going to offer an excellent opportunity for overseas investors to interact with Indian chemicals industry and also over 100 foreign companies. Italy is going to be the partner country. Japan is the guest country and Germany, the focus country for India Chem," minister said.