A Tanzanian business delegation from Zanzibar is visiting Hyderabad on February 5, 2014 to meet pharma exporters and discuss on various issues relating to pharma industry and mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Headed by president of Zanzibar Dr Ali Mohammad Shein, the business delegation constitutes senior officials from the commerce, health and trade ministries of that country. Particularly the delegation is keen on attracting Indian pharma and biotechnology industry investors to build a strong pharmaceutical base in their country.

As the Indian pharma industry is renowned across the world as a leader in manufacturing cost-effective high quality generic drugs, countries in Africa, CIS, LAC and Central Asia are looking at India for their healthcare needs. Particularly the African nations are sourcing AIDS related drugs from Indian companies. Many Indian companies are part of an agreement where major AIDS drugs based on lamivudine, stavudine, zidovudine, nevirapine are supplied to Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. All these African nations have about 33 per cent of their people living with AIDS.

Over the years, Tanzania and India have traditionally enjoyed close, friendly and co –operative relations. In recent years Indo-Tanzanian ties have evolved into a modern and pragmatic relationship with greater and diversified economic engagement. Today India and Tanzania have a vibrant business and commercial relationship driven by the presence of a large community of Tanzanians of Indian origin. India is a leading trading and investment partner of Tanzania as well as an important source of essential machinery and pharmaceutical products. Many of the top business establishments of Tanzania are owned by persons of Indian origin. Among the major imports of Tanzania, pharmaceuticals and organic and inorganic chemicals stand a large chunk from India.

In view of this Tanzania and its sub autonomous region of Zanzibar are looking at India for more long term and short term business relations particularly in the pharma and biotechnology segments.

“The visiting delegation is particularly keen on attracting Indian pharmaceutical investors in their country and planning to build a long term business relations with the Indian pharma industry. Senior officials from Zanzibar will interact with pharma exporters to discuss on export related issues and regulatory aspects,” informed Raghuveer Kini, ED, Pharmexcil.

It is expected that the visiting delegates will also explain about facilities offered by Zanzibar for setting up pharma plants in their country.

In their honour, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is also hosting a luncheon at Taj Banjara in Banjara Hills on February 5. Interested members willing to take part in the interactive meeting with the Tanzanian delegates can contact the concerned authorities at Pharmexcil before February 4, 2014.