Nirmala Sitharaman urges Myanmar to collaborate with India in pharma

Highlighted that many CIS, LatAm countries have invited Indian collaborations for cost effective medicines for public health systems

At an India Myanmar Business Conclave hosted by India at Yangon on May 18-20, as part of its Act East policy, Nirmala Sitharaman Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry (CIM) encouraged Myanmar to avail of Indian expertise in the pharmaceutical sector, along with organic and sustainable agriculture.

Speaking at a Government-Business Round table on the theme: ‘Forging Partnerships’, the CIM highlighted that as India is a world leader in pharma production, especially cost effective medicines for public health systems, many countries from CIS and Latin America have invited India to set up base and collaborate.

She also conveyed that India had opened 96.4 per cent of tariff lines at zero duty for Myanmar under its Duty Free Tariff Preference scheme besides ASEAN India FTA. The transition from barter trade to normal trade wef 1 Dec 2015 was a step forward to boost trade. Similarly a liberal access was available for Services including a visa fee waiver for Myanmar applicants applying for Indian Business and Employment visas.

The 25 member business delegation from India, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was the first visit of any Minister from India after the formation of the new government in Myanmar post the landslide victory by the National League for Democracy led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the elections held in last November.

Daw Aung San Suu KyiNirmala Sitharaman