Samdrupkongkhar will have a pharmaceutical plant by June next year, according to a press release from Druk Holding and Investments (DHI).

The ground-breaking ceremony for the constrution of the plant – Azista Bhutan Healthcare Limited (ABHL) was held yesterday at Motanga Industrial Park, Samdrupjongkhar.

Construction is expected to begin after the end of the monsoon.Besides meeting the domestic demand, the plant is expected to export pharmaceutical products to India and other countries.

The project is worth Nu 200 million.

The new pharmaceutical plant is aimed to curb import of drugs and also promote brand Bhutan in a global market through export of locally manufactured quality pharmaceutical products.

A press release from DHI states that the plant would manufacture, package and distribute wide range of prescription medicines. The products will be under the brand name Azista Bhutan.

“Such facility would be first of its kind in Bhutan that would manufacture, package and distribute allopathic drugs,” the press release states.

Once operational, the company will be manufacturing, packaging and distributing 99 types of products under 17 major therapies. ABHL is a joint company of Azista Industries Private Limited, India and DHI.

The press release states that DHI has been exploring investments in various business areas, which has immense contribution towards the socio-economic development of the country.

“This project is expected to bring in lot of benefits to the economy in terms of foreign currency earnings from export and most importantly in providing employment opportunity.”

According to the press release, the company is expected to employ 190 people in various occupational fields. “In addition, local skill development for manufacturing pharmaceutical products would remain a top priority of this project.”

ABHL will also set up its own research and development unit to improve quality of products and introduce new range of products in Bhutan and for the overseas market.

According to the press release, the plant will not emit hazardous materials into the atmosphere as it uses state of the art technology.

“Pharmaceutical as a clean industry is known for not generating any toxic and hazardous effluents,” the press release stated.

Staff Reporter

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