The Indian medical fraternity will be visiting Britain shortly to explore strategic partnership and direct investment opportunities in the latter country. The visit, which has been scheduled from July 19-23, 2010 will witness the participation of almost 10 groups from the Indian healthcare sector, which has a significant presence of SMEs.

UK is the fifth largest export destination of the Indian pharmaceutical sector. This visit follows a trip by the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in March this year during which the UKTI sought to collaborate with Indian companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors even as they expressed a desire to expand into the Indian market.

Notably, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is a booming sector which is dotted with SMEs who are involved in manufacturing, supplying and exporting medicines, medical equipment and healthcare products. The forthcoming visit by the Indian medical delegation to the UK is likely to open up, if not further enhance, the market in Britain for Indian pharma-based SMEs who are struggling with issues like high production costs in the domestic market.

Sreemita Bhattacharya