API industrial park crucial to meet pharmaceuticals sector challenges

Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana on Sunday said that Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) industrial parks will play important role in meeting the challenges of the pharmaceuticals sector as soon as Bangladesh transforms into a developing country.

"In 2026, Bangladesh will finally become a developing country, and for that reason, some benefits will be removed from the pharmaceuticals sector like other sectors due to intellectual property and patent laws. Considering these factors, the government is implementing the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Industrial Park scheme," Sultana said.

She made the statement while addressing as the chief guest at a discussion organized by the stakeholders of the API industrial park

project under the implementation of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Ghazaria upazila of Munshiganj, said a release.

"The pharmaceuticals sector will be able to cope with the arising challenges with the help of the API industrial parks, and the activities will become more effective and prompt," she said.

While replying to the questions of the newsmen, the secretary said, "As per the instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are trying to increase production and reduce imports in every field. We are also trying to create employment for people, for which the API project, when completed, will be really helpful."

At the discussion, the leaders of the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industry Association raised various demands including starting the supply of gas and electricity to industrial plots, filling soil in plots, reducing surcharges etc, added the release.

Sultana directed the concerned to execute a time-bound plan to ensure gas and electricity supply to the plots of the park. She also assured to cooperate with other ministries if needed and urged the concerned to complete the construction of central effluent treatment plants (CETPs) as soon as possible.

Chairman of BSCIC Md Mahbubor Rahman, Additional Secretary (Planning) of Industries Ministry Md Nurul Alam, Managing Director of API Abdul Muqtadir, leaders and officials of Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Industries Association were present among others at the meeting.