MSME focus on Pharma sector

Guwahati: The Government of India's Department of Pharmaceuticals, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, is planning to launch a series of initiatives under the banner of Schemes for "Strengthening Pharmaceuticals Industry' (SPI).

These initiatives will be launched with the goal of enhancing India's existing manufacturing prowess in the Pharmaceuticals Industry.

Keeping in mind the strategic importance of MSMEs, which provide crucial forward and backward links to the industry, and the fact that MSMEs tend to expand in clusters, these initiatives will address technological upgradation challenges at both the unit and cluster levels.

To strengthen the supply chain of the pharmaceutical industry, of which MSMEs are an integral part, the Government of India will incentivize intending MSME units seeking Schedule M certification or WHO GMP certification through the sub-scheme Pharmaceuticals Industry Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS).

The MSME unit should have the choice of receiving either a capital subsidy or an interest subsidy. At the cluster level, the sub-scheme 'Assistance to Pharmaceuticals Industry for Common Facilities' (APICF) aims to support the establishment of common facilities such as testing labs, common effluent treatment plants, and other such facilities by providing government assistance in the form of capital grants of up to 70%, subject to a maximum of Rs. 20 crores.

To close the knowledge gap, the third sub-scheme recommends a series of awareness activities, sectoral studies, and similar programmes to create soft inputs for policy advocacy.

On July 21, 2022, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will publicly launch these efforts at the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar International Convention Centre. Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, will also be present.

Senior officials from the Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the Ministry of MSME, SIDBI, NSIC, and banks, as well as representatives from industry, entrepreneurs, and start-ups, were present.