The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has approved a business delegation to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan under the 'Focus-CIS' programme to be led by EVKS Elangovan, minister of state for Commerce and Industry between January 9 and 16, 2005.

Dr PV Appaji, executive director, Pharmexcil told Pharmabiz that the Indian delegation would be meeting trade associations in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, study the pharma markets in the regions, take part in buyer-seller meets and enter into contracts, meet the embassy officials during the visit.

The Council will provide the delegates significant data on pharmaceutical imports by both the countries enabling them to explore business opportunities, provide information on product registration and documentation and organize interactive meetings with drugs authorities of the countries. A 10-member delegation from Indian pharma industry will be visiting the countries.

The members of the council whose exports turnover is less than Rs 5 crore if take part in the delegation will be eligible for availing incentives under MDA programme. About 90 per cent of the air fare will be reimbursed to SSI members. Both manufacture exporters and merchant exporters are eligible to participate in the delegation, he informed.

Formulations markets are active in both the countries. Bulk drugs imports are also increasing from these markets. Markets in both the countries are opening up. As per recent figures, Indian pharmaceutical exports to Kazakhstan were Rs 60 crore and Rs 20 crore to Uzbekistan. The exports from India to these countries have been increasing gradually. Exports to CIS countries are growing at the rate of about 20 per cent annually. Russia was the third largest exports destination for Indian pharmaceuticals with about Rs 625 crore worth exports made to the country last year.

He added, Pharmexcil is also proposing to take delegations to Asian and African countries in the next three months. The Council has participated in ISACA, a joint meeting that was held in South Africa recently. It has also coordinated with Kenyan drugs authorities who visited India and arranged interactive meetings between its members and the authorities, which proved useful as members could clarify on various aspects of product registration. It may be noted that 60 per cent of pharmaceutical imports by Kenya are from India.

The Council has recently circulated information on important pharmaceutical and herbal buyers from Hongkong.