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The Indian Embassy officials here say that it is not true that India's name is being sullied in the Tanzanian market because of fake drugs with “Made in India” labels. Talking to visiting Indian journalists, Counsellor Mr N.J. Gangte said that Kenya and Tanzania were regularly sending officials to inspect labs making pharmaceuticals in India to get over this problem.
A 2006 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) had estimated that in developing countries in Africa, and in parts of Asia and Latin America, up to 30 per cent of medicines in the market are counterfeit.
Global counterfeit syndicates are involved in the business. Suppliers from China, India, Europe and the US are widely believed to have used the country as a gateway into Africa.
Indian presence
Several Indian brand names including Bajaj, TVS scooter rickshaws and Indian tractors are “big sellers” in Tanzania.
The major Indian companies in Tanzania include Reliance and Bharti Airtel.
Bharti Airtel, which recently acquired Zain Telecom here as part of its 16 countries buyout from Zain Africa and Reliance Industries, has acquired a majority stake and management control of Gulf Africa Petroleum Corporation (GAPCO). The Kamal Group of Industries has established the first-ever private Export Processing Zone owned by an Indian group and RITES.
“India should concentrate on its strengths to give a further boost to India-Tanzania trade and economic relations which have been doing very well,” senior Indian diplomats stationed here told Business Line .
The Indian High Commissioner in Tanzania, Mr K.V. Bhagirath, pointed out that India should focus on pharmaceuticals, engineering and chemical products, all of which are its strengths in Tanzania.
Bilateral trade with India stood at $ 1.2 billion, with India's exports totalling $920 million and imports amounting to $238 million during 2009-10.
India-Africa Summit
The second India-Africa Forum summit is scheduled to be held later this year.
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, is expected to attend the summit and could also undertake bilateral visits to some friendly African nations, though this is yet to be firmed up.
The Envoy added that there has also been an increase in the number of visas being issued to Tanzanian citizens wanting to travel to India.
“On some days, we issue as many as 100 visas; 40 per cent of all visas issued are business visas, followed by almost 20 per cent of the people seeking medical visas,” he said.
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