The Hindu Business Line : GTZ to work with pharma SMEs in AP

Hyderabad, Jan. 25 German Technical Corporation (GTZ) has identified four pharma sub-clusters in Andhra Pradesh for rendering assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in finance and regulatory-related matters.

The four sub-clusters are located in Nalgonda, Kajipally, Pashyamylaram and Jeedimetla. “We have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers’ Association (DPMA) and Nalgonda Drug Manufacturers’ Association to work together with the SME units in these sub-clusters,” Mr N. Gurumurthy, Project Manager, GTZ-SME Financing and Development Programme. told Business Line here.

The priority areas of collaboration would include common treatment facilities for environmental protection, regulatory compliance required for cGMP certification, upgradation of units, and export market facilitation.

Feasibility study

GTZ had already conducted a feasibility study in Nalgonda for creation of a common effluent treatment facility. “We are also working in association with DPMA for offering pollution control technologies to its SME members in the clusters,” Mr Gurumurthy said.

On cGMP front, 10 units located in Pashyamylaram and Jeedimetla had shown interest in going for certification. “Our target is to rope in at least 30 units for cGMP certification as it will improve their credibility in exports,” he said.

SBI loan

State Bank of India (SBI), with which GTZ has a tie-up, would soon announce an exclusive loan product for pharma SMEs to meet the expenses pertaining to cGMP certification, he revealed.

GTZ targets to work with over 120 pharma SMEs in these sub-clusters over the next 12 months in the priority areas including suggesting information technology-based solutions. It is working together with Cluster Pulse, the implementing agency for Project Vikas of Microsoft, to extend its benefits to the sub-clusters, the GTZ official said.

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