The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), apart from its regular events relating to pharma industry and its export aspects, has now embarked on providing expert services to its member firms.  “Of late, we have been approached by many member firms seeking help relating to issues of foreign trade, legal aspects and even sought help in resolving service tax related issues. Having learned this we have decided to utilize the services of experts in the field of foreign trade, legal issues and service tax related issues and provide services to the pharma firms in the country,” said Dr P V Appaji, Director General of Pharmexcil.

Particularly with issues related to foreign trade, there are a lot of medium and small pharmaceutical firms which are unaware of intricacies relating to central excise, customs, EOU, SEZ, and DGFT.  In view of this, the Council has decided to extend its help to its member companies free of cost.  “For dealing with the issues related to foreign trade, we have appointed S Suryanarayana as consultant. Member firms can utilize his services for understanding and resolving problems related to central excise, customs, service tax, EOU, SEZ and DGFT.  He is having a vast experience in the pharma industry.  Similarly, for dealing with the issues related to legal aspects and service tax, Vyas Hanoor and M V Subba Rao respectively have been appointed,” informed Appaji.

As already, the Council is utilizing the services of these experts, the same is also extended to the members of pharmaceutical firms in the country.  The Council has agreed to provide the preliminary expert opinion free of cost to the member firms on subjects related to legal and service tax.  However, in case any member would like to avail their services on a retainer-ship basis or for any specific assignment, they may do so at mutually agreed terms, informed the DG.