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Indian High Commission joins war on fake imports
2007-12-20 09:24:30
By Bilham Kimati
The Indian High Commission has declared war on counterfeit products believed to be flooding the Tanzanian market from Asian countries.
Indian High Commissioner K. V. Bhagirath made the declaration during talks with Confederation of Tanzania Industries Chairman Reginald Mengi in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Mengi, who is also IPP Executive Chairman, had in earlier remarks commended the governments of both countries for having worked tirelessly to ensure continued strong cordial bilateral relations in part involving technical cooperation.
He then requested the envoy to comment on the issue of counterfeit and other substandard pharmaceutical and products found in Tanzania and the belief by many Tanzanians that most originate from India and China.
``It is important for the people of Tanzania to hear from you about the quality of products, particularly pharmaceuticals, so as to make sure that foreign business companies do not take advantage of consumers` low purchasing power and make people die after taking counterfeit drugs.
It is good to improve business relations without resentment on the authenticity of imported products,`` noted Mengi.
Responding, Bhagirath said India has over the years built redoubtable credibility in as a manufacturer of quality products.
He said many people from across Africa, Asia and the Americas have for long sought medical services and supplies in India and they have always found them at affordable cost and had their expectations met by getting them in the desired quality.
The envoy explained that his government`s policy was completely against the manufacture of fake or shoddy pharmaceutical or any other products.
``I would like to assure you that the government of India is very seriously committed to the fight against the production and supply of counterfeit products.
I would also like to assure you that my office will respond quickly upon receiving any notice about reported importation or supply of such products assumed to originate from India,`` he stated.
Bhagirath noted that India produces a wide array of drugs at subsidised cost under certified quality and makes them available and affordable to suppliers and consumers in different parts of the world.
He was emphatic that it was in contravention of the law in India to produce, distribute or sell fake drugs or any other products, adding: ``It is equally illegal to export such substandard products.``
The envoy explained that consultations were going on between his office and the government of Tanzania through the latter`s Fair Competition Commission on strategies to strengthen economic cooperation and address the problem of sub-standard imports entering Tanzania.
He extended an invitation to the CTI Chairman to visit India and use the opportunity to exchange views and share experience with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and media owners. Mengi accepted the invitation.
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