As a part of the governments plan to amend the policies and bring in economic reforms, the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers recently asked all the associations from the healthcare sector specifically medical device, plastics, polymers industry to send a joint representation to the government. The aim behind this move is to boost indigenous manufacturers within the country and encourage them to explore exports by easing business environment in India.

Prompted by call of action, six prominent national associations have already come together to jointly to represent the issues and challenges of the industry through a common forum. The national association which comprises of six association includes, All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association (AIPMA), Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED), Organization of Plastics Processors of India (OPPI), Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association (CPMA), Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Association of India and All India Federation of Master Printers' Association (AIFMPA).

The proposed economic reforms and the pro-activeness from the government has come as a welcome surprise for the industry which have already geared up their activities to represent their challenges and issues to the government at the earliest, informed Arvind Mehta, chairman-governing council of the all India plastics manufacturers' association (AIPMA).

Mehta who is also the acting co-coordinator of the group of national associations, stressed that though this move clearly shows the interest of the government in ensuring business friendly environment especially for the small scale enterprises, only time will say how things will work out for the industry. He stressed, “This is the first time ever where the government has approached us without any prodding to form a national group and submit our representation, thus it is seen in a very positive light among the industry. However, we fear that things could get delayed and stuck in bureaucratic red tape at the centre due to complication arising out of lack of co-ordination between different ministries.”

He further added that for the success of this initiative it is essential that there is coordination between all the ministries and not just with chemical and fertilisers ministry, but also with health ministry, commerce and finance ministry as well since these sectors fall under their purview as well. It is understood that the associations has already had a meeting with the ministry earlier this month wherein they have submitted their first representation.

However sources inform that the government has further asked for more clarification on the representation through a separates meeting for a broader view of the issues and challenges, which is expected to be discussed soon with the stakeholders, before being sent to other respective ministries for their approval.