Pharmaceutical sector is expected to take limelight in this year's
edition of Vibrant Gujarat 2011, a biennial summit being organised by
the government of Gujarat. Compared to the previous years, this year
the Gujarat government has received more than double number of
inquiries from pharma companies, not only from India but also from
foreign countries for setting up their base in Gujarat.

According
to H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA, “Everyday we are getting more and
more inquiry for setting up units in Gujarat. We are very hopeful that
this year we will have more than double the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) signed and triple the investment compared to the 2009 event.”

He
informed that there have been a tremendous increase in the number of
pharma companies showing interest in setting up new plant and units in
the state of Gujarat, as the state has emerged as the SEZs hub of the
country as well as has a scale and infrastructure that is at par with
international standards. “As of now we have about 50 companies lined up
who have shown interest in signing MoU's and availing the advantages
that the government of Gujarat is providing through Vibrant Gujarat.
Till now, we have got inquires worth Rs.9,000 crore which is triple the investment that was made in 2009,” Koshia added.

In 2009, the Gujarat government had signed 26 MoUs with pharma companies which resulted in about Rs.27,000
crore to be invested in the state. Koshia informed that out of the 26
MoUs the government has already completed its work on eight plants which
are functioning at present, whereas for the others work is under
progress.

At present there are 2322 pharma manufacturing units
and 115 medical devises manufacturing units that are operational in
Gujarat. National share of Gujarat's pharma industry is approximately 42
per cent, IV set/BT set manufacturing is approximately 80 per cent,
orthopaedic implants is approximately 50 per cent, intraocular lenses is
approximately 35 per cent and cardiac stent is approximately 30 per
cent.

Vibrant Gujarat is aimed at bringing together business
leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion
makers from almost 18 sectors together under one roof. According to
sources, last year infrastructure and chemical and petrochemicals sector
had made huge impact in the event whereas exceptions are very high this
year from the pharma sector.