A high level Indian delegation from the department of commerce and trade, government of India, is expected to visit Vietnam and Cambodia this month to discuss various issues pertaining to pharma trade and improve business ties with the two South East Asian countries.

Rajeev Kher, secretary, Department of Commerce and Trade, Government of India, is expected to lead the high level delegation to Vietnam and Cambodia during January 19-24, 2015. The main aim of the high level delegation is to discuss various bilateral issues pertaining to trade and commerce between India, Vietnam and Cambodia.

As the government has identified pharma sector a key trade segment that could be promoted and encouraged, the ministry has informed Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) to rope in leading CEO and senior executives from the pharma, biotechnology and Indian system of medicine to join the delegation and participate in the meetings relating to the pharma segment.  

According to Dr P V Appaji, Director General of Pharmexcil, as pharma sector in India is a key economic driver; the central government has identified it as a significant segment to be promoted vigorously across the globe. As Vietnam and Cambodia are the two potential countries that have huge demand for generic medicines in the South East Asian region, the high level delegation is expected to hold discussion with their governments, regulators and trading community for enhancing pharma trade and even explore possibilities of joint ventures with the local companies in the two countries. “As the ministry of commerce, government of India, under the leader ship of Rajeev Kher, is leading a high level delegation to Vietnam & Cambodia during 19-24th January 2015, we request all the industry stakeholders to extend their suggestions and issues if any and take part in the high-level delegation. The purpose of the visit is to hold a bilateral ministerial engagement between the two countries in the area of trade and commerce and further promote business ties between India, Vietnam & Cambodia,” said Dr Appaji.

As part of this, the Council is calling on decision makers from the pharma industry, pharmaceutical business experts and key members of leading firms in the country to extend their ideas, suggestions and raise issues if any relating to export trade with Vietnam and Cambodia. The council is also inviting CEO’s, senior executives and other key decision makers of leading firms to become part of this delegation.

Interested parties should send in their application for participation in the delegation to the commerce ministry through the Council on or before 8th January 2015.