Pharmexcil is planning to mount a business delegation to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus during the second week of November 2005. The delegation's visit to these CIS countries will be as part of the MDA programme.

India's exports to these countries have been encouraging in the recent years. India exported pharmaceuticals to Azerbaijan up to Rs 410.18 million during 2004-05 compared to Rs 95.143 million in 2003-'04. Exports to Belarus stood at Rs 272.713 million during 2004-'05 compared to Rs 178.228 million in 2003-'04. India exported Rs 70.176 million worth pharmaceuticals to Georgia in 2004-05 as against Rs 45.352 million in 2003-'04, according to DGCIS.

The Buyer Seller Meets' visits will be organised in select locations in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus. The locations will be decided on the basis of the recommendations from Indian missions abroad.

The activity will be treated as an initiative taken up under Focus-CIS for the purpose of MDA grant. The members whose export performance is less than ten crore are eligible for MDA assistance to the extent of 90 per cent of airfare (incase of SSI sector) and 75 per cent of airfare for others subject to a maximum of Rs 60,000 and 90 per cent of Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) Expenses (in case of SSI sector) and 75 per cent of BSM expenses for others subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000.

According to Pharmexcil, CIS market has scope for bulk drugs, intermediates and formulations. The products have to be registered in these countries. Such a delegation from India can benefit both sides.