Bangladesh is emerging as the highly potential base for the pharmaceutical formulations manufacturing, and producing the medicines at par with the international manufacturers, informed Mr. S. M. Shafiuzzaman, President, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (BAPI). With over 150 Member Companies, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries is the premier trade promotion body representing country’s pharmaceutical industry.
With the aim to maintain, upgrade and expand such wide manufacturing facilities, the exposure and update with the latest available technologies required for the production is always remain in top priority for Bangladesh. Asia Pharma Expo series international exhibitions and seminars were designed to attract all the majors from the pharmaceuticalallied industries to walk-in and display their products / services, and which was resulted a highly successful step to nurture the need of the industry.
Asia Pharma Expo exhibitions are the only common platform of the South Asian pharma market for the pharmaceutical-allied suppliers from India, China, Taiwan, Europe, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan; and therefore, each Asia Pharma Expo becomes the landmark event and meaningful business meeting point to interact with the entire South Asian pharma community.
At Asia Pharma Expo 2005 (APE2005), Bangladesh exhibition more than 278 companies had participated from more than 22 countries including Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Gulf region, European Union, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, USA. The event was attended by more than 8,500 trade professionals from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. The event was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, M.P., Govt. of Republic of Bangladesh.
Providing more details about the forthcoming show, Mr. Shafiuzzaman said; "Asia Pharma Expo 2007 (APE2007), Bangladesh is scheduled during January 11 to 13, 2007 at Dhaka, Bangladesh". He added, APE2007 is being Supported by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Republic of Bangladesh and Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh. The Event is Endorsed by Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (India) - BDMA and The Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council, India (PHARMEXCIL). APE2007 is being Sponsored by Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd. and Organized by Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industry, Bangladesh (BAPI) and Asia Pharma Expo Ltd., UK.
Informing the details about the APE2007, Mr. Paresh Jhurmarwala, Asia Pharma Expo Ltd. said; looking to the response across the world to participate at APE2007, we have planned to accommodate 400 exhibiting companies, which are anticipated from more than 25 countries. APE2007 floor-space will be spread over 8,500 sq. mt. and once again above 10,000 trade professionals are estimated to witness the latest products / services / technologies on single platform. More information can accessed from the event website: www.asiapharma.org or by contacting through email (mail@asiapharma.org).
Mr. Nazmul Hassan, CEO, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bangladesh and Secretary
General informed; with the highest exports of the pharmaceutical formulations, Bangladesh offers all the advantages for its strategic location in the South Asian pharma region. Bangladesh remains on top with 97% of the total pharma production being exported to over 62 countries. Bangladesh remains the largest producer of formulation products in LDCs, and has 18% share in the international business.
Mr. Nazmul Hassan added, after the inclusion of the Doha declaration in TRIPS during year 2002, each and every country belonging to the LDC category now has the option not to opt for Pharmaceutical Product Patent until year 2016, which means they can now legally reverse-engineer patented products and sell it in their domestic market as well as export to other LDCs. It so happened that among all the 50 LDCs, Bangladesh is the only country which has strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base as compared to 16 LDCs, which do not have any pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, whereas others have very limited or insufficient manufacturing capabilities. This has created an enormous opportunity for the pharmaceutical manufacturers of Bangladesh and probably Bangladesh is the only country today, who can really capitalize the post-2005 opportunities.
Looking to the rapidly growing demand, Bangladesh has positively consented to approve new projects, and has planned to create the API Park to cope with the need of the hour, Mr. Shafiuzzaman said.
