The Iranian ambassador Gholam Reza Ansari is scheduled to meet Indian pharma exporters in Hyderabad on January 16, 2014 to clarify on export related issues pertaining to Iran. Arvind Mehta, joint secretary, Foreign Trade-Iran and Sudhanshu Pandey, joint secretary, Department of Commerce, government of India are also expected to join the meeting at Hotel Taj Krishna in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad.

Iran has been an important exporting destination for Indian pharma, biotech and other healthcare related products. But during the past few years, Iran had been subjected to sanctions by western countries like USA and EU over its nuclear programme, because of which there has been a lot of ambiguity and confusion prevailing among Indian exporters as any kind of international trading with Iran in dollar term has been restricted by the international community.

Despite international pressure, governments of India and Iran have agreed to carry forward trade relations without any hindrances. In view of this, Government of India is also encouraging exports to Iran by facilitating transactions in Rupee terms through UCO Bank and designating Iran as one of the countries eligible for export benefits for the amounts realized in Rupee terms.

The meeting will be an apt platform for all the Indian pharma exporters as it gives them an opportunity to interact directly with the Iranian ambassador and get their doubts and apprehensions clarified, if any. The members can also know about issues relating to product registrations, export regulations, future prospects and scope of growth in the Iranian markets. “It is a good opportunity to understand more about Iran markets and discuss about any issues with the Iranian ambassador and also senior officials from Department of Commerce. We advise members exporting to Iran to attend the meeting and make maximum benefit out of it,” informed Raghuveer Kini, executive director, Pharmexcil.

Interested members willing to take part in the meeting should register before January 15, 2014 at Pharmexcil.