Pharma units in AP, TS continue to put up stellar performance
The sector has provided employment to 19,172 people
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: DESPITE the long spell of pandemic and its fallout on various sectors, the pharma industry has remained unscathed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
In both the Telugu-speaking States, the pharma sector has put up a spectacular performance, said Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone-Duvvada Development Commissioner A Rama Mohan Reddy in a chat with Bizz Buzz.
VSEZ has 58 units (Telangana 22 and AP 36). All major pharma companies operate from VSEZ viz., Aurobindo, Divi's, Dr Reddy's, Biocon, GVK, Laurus Labs, Mylan, Sanofi, Hetero, Lee Pharma, Gland Pharma and Cornelius Pharma.
During 2021-22, the total exports rose to Rs 8,971 crore, which is 9.4 per cent higher than last year. AP contributed Rs 4,203 crore up to August 31 and Telangana Rs 4,768 crore. The performance is almost in the ratio of 46: 54.
The pharma giants operating in both States are more or less the same. Telangana has APIIC SEZ at Jadcherla and AP has pharma SEZ at Parwada known as Ramky SEZ, Hetero at Nakkapalli and Divi's in Visakhapatnam, Reddy's at Pydibheemavaram in Srikakulam, Aurobindo Pharma at Naidupeta and GMR SEZ in Hyderabad,.
"We have many other units in multi-product SEZs. SEZs across VSEZ make a number of drugs related to Covid namely Fabipiravir, Molupiravir, Remdessivir, Sputnic vaccine in Hetero, 2G3D in Laurus Labs.
In India AP had been the pharma hub of the country," Reddy said.
Exports during 2019-20 stood at Rs 15,027 crore. During 2020-21 the total business to the order of Rs 20,500 crore was recorded in both the States. VSEZ, which has achieved a growth of 40 per cent during last year with exports of Rs 20,500 crore. It is 9 per cent up to August 31 with a business amounting to Rs 8,971 crore. Reddy said they are confident of putting up a good show during the current year with many undertaking expansion activities.
The sector has provided employment to 19,172. Laurus Labs was as in news for supplying HCQs (Hydroxychloroquine) of 35 mi. tabs to the USA, South Africa, Singapore, Malawi and Belgium. As on date, VSEZ, has 62 SEZs (out of a total of 265 in India) fully operational with 569 units. The zone has jurisdiction over AP, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Yanam. VSEZ has achieved a total exports to the tune of Rs 96,886 crore from all sectors during 2019-20.
During 2020-21, the exports made from the zone was to the tune of Rs 1,13,975 crore. VSEZ recorded an increase in exports of 14.50 per cent and recorded growth in merchandise (26.95 per cent) and in the services sector (9.61 per cent). So far, an investment of Rs 75,055 crore has been made in the zone employment to 4.32 lakh on a regular basis.
VSEZ has broken all the records in 32 years by achieving the highest-ever exports since inception. Reddy said during the current year, despite lockdown, VSEZ has achieved exports to the tune of Rs 44,080 crore (Rs14,904 crore merchandise and Rs 29.176 crore in services), up to August 31, which is 25 per cent higher than last year during the corresponding period. Merchandise recorded a growth of 26 per cent and services of 24 per cent this year.
