Government to set up export promotion council for medical devices

By EH News Bureau On Sep 22, 2022

Based on the detailed deliberations in the meetings held by Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the suggestions/responses received from the stakeholders in the medical devices sector, DoC has approved the setting up of an Export Promotion Council (EPC) for medical devices.

A separate EPC for medical devices sector will be created under the administrative control of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India with headquarters in YEIDA, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh and regional offices in Andhra Pradesh (in AMTZ, Visakhapatnam) and Telangana (in Hyderabad).

For setting up of the headquarters of the Council, YEIDA to provide, among other things, initial funding support of Rs 3 crore, free office space (of approx. 5000 sqft area) at the upcoming Medical Devices Park Common Facility Centre (CFC), Greater Noida, and required secretarial staff to run the council.

As per the notification of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, “The entire range of medical devices goods and services could be broadly qualified into sub-groups called panels, such as disposables, consumables, orthopaedic implants, IVD Equipments & Reagents and surgical instruments. Further, to coordinate the activities of the Council in a more focused manner, there could also be panels like Policy advocacy, technology upgradation and transfer and start-ups.”

“The proposed council shall, inter alia, help exporters in promoting their products in international markets, through various promotional activities including organising / participating in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, RBSM in lndia, etc., in line with the foreign trade policy (FTP) of lndia. The Council may also organize awareness programs for dissemination of information regarding assistance available for the MSME axporters under, various government schemes.”

Sharing his views on this, Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator of Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said, “It’s a great news, a big boost to the Indian Medical Devices Manufacturing. The long sought and requested Medical Devices Exports Promotion Council is finally sanctioned to be created under the aegis of DoP, Government of India. This strategic step will go a long way in accelerating the exports and manufacturing growth of the medical devices sector. India currently exports Rs 23,766 Crore (2021-22) of medical devices up from previous year Rs 19,736 Crore.

“The Exports Promotion Council for Medical Devices will help bring in coordinated inter-ministerial policy measures for unleashing the huge export potential and investment potential of over Rs. 80,000 Cr for manufacturing medical devices for the Global market in India’s quest to be one of Top 5 preferred supplier base of medical devices worldwide and we are thankful to the Minister of Commerce and Industry in taking this initiative to help realise our Prime Minister’s vision”, he added.

Ashok Patel, Founder & CEO, Max Ventilators said, “The government’s decision to create a unique Export Promotion Council (EPC) for medical equipment is a required effort. The country would be able to further develop its domestic manufacturing capacity as well as become a major supplier to the global market for high-quality medical devices and equipment thanks to the overall emphasis on “Make in India” and the frequently stated goal of ranking among the top five manufacturers of medical devices worldwide. By facilitating domestic manufacturers’ participation in foreign trade fairs, exhibitions, and other such events, the government would now help them increase the visibility of their goods and services in the worldwide market. We should keep in mind that Imports of medical equipment have risen recently despite PLI initiatives and the availability of medical device parks, which are intended to boost domestic manufacture. It was therefore time to take further action. We are hopeful that this distinct EPC will have the same impact on domestic medical device exports as the Pharmaceutical Promotion Export Council, or Pharmexil, had for pharmaceutical exports.”

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