The Export Consultative Group, constituted by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry over a year ago to focus on pharmaceutical exports will have its first meeting with all the stakeholders on July 3, in Delhi. The focus of the meeting is to outline new strategies and derive strong action plan to boost the Indian exports to a higher level along with addressing the current burning issues faced by the industry.

The meeting will be chaired and headed by the Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, wherein, the government will provide an opportunity to all the stakeholders to deliberate and discuss on various problems affecting their exports. The much anticipated meeting comes after a delay of almost a year which was postponed earlier due to some unprecedented reasons and comes as a huge relief to the industry.

Dr P V Appaji, director general (DG), Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) informed, “It is a very good opportunity provided by the government to discuss on important aspects that may help in boosting the exports from the country. But most importantly it provides a platform to the industry to present not only their issues but also be a part of the decision making group that allows them to participate and give their suggestions to improve the present export conditions. Through this meeting the ministry aims to initiate an active dialogue with all the stakeholders and get their views on the crucial issues affecting them with respect to exports.”

He further informed that during this meeting the minister will dwell upon topics that will lead to export promotion with specific focus on brand India pharma campaign. It is understood that during this meeting minister is also likely to take decision on foreign trade policy, incentives under the Market Access Initiatives (MAI) scheme and some other important topic in consultation with the health minister.

This meeting will also be attended by the drug controller general of India (DCGI), and Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Whereas, Department of Pharmaceutical (DoP) is expected to be playing a very important role during this meeting wherein many important issues affecting the industry and hindering its growth perspective will be actively discussed.

The 20 member committee, consisting of representatives from the industry, will be discussing on gamut of issues faced by the industry. All the leaders from the pharma industry, representing the bulk drugs, formulations, clinical research, small scale and biotech sector are expected to be present at the meeting to discuss on the various export conditions and analyse the current situation in the country and abroad that is affecting exports.