Bangladeshi pharma leaders call for easier Indian business visa
India a reliable partner for Bangladesh in API sourcing, technologies, and pharma machinery, said Pranay Verma
Leaders of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry have urged India to simplify its business visa process and take steps to ease cross-border trade through land routes.
They made the call at "PharmaConnect," a networking and knowledge-sharing event hosted by the High Commission of India in Dhaka yesterday.
The event was organised ahead of CPHI–PMEC India 2025, which will take place from 25-27 November in Delhi. The event is a major pharmaceutical exhibition that brings together companies and industry leaders from around the world.
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"PharmaConnect" showcased how India's globally competitive pharmaceutical industry and Bangladesh's rapidly expanding manufacturing capacity could collaborate deeply in areas such as technology transfer, supply chain strengthening, and innovation.
Stressing the strategic importance of the pharmaceutical sector in India-Bangladesh economic cooperation, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said India has long been a reliable partner for Bangladesh in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) sourcing, process technologies and pharmaceutical machinery.
Md Zakir Hossain, managing director of Delta Pharma Ltd and secretary general of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), said that attendance at the PMEC exhibition from Bangladesh had dropped sharply due to visa issues.
"Earlier, 500-700 people from our sector joined PMEC, and we had to book hotels two to three months in advance. This year, only eight companies – 83 people – have applied," he said.
He also said that Bangladesh's pharmaceutical success story has been built with strong support from India. "There is no Bangladeshi company without Indian machinery in their factories. Every day we need raw materials, machines, or development support. We depend on each other."
Zakir proposed that visa applications accompanied by an official request from BAPI's president or secretary be given special consideration.
Echoing Zakir, BAPI President Abdul Muktadir said the visa situation had significantly affected the sector.
"We are happy to see progress and hear that business visas are being issued again so scientists, engineers and managers can travel and perform their duties," he said, expressing hope for smoother visa arrangements moving forward.
Pranay Verma also acknowledged the visa-related challenges faced by Bangladeshi business travellers over the past year. "I know many of you have been thinking about the visa issue. It has created hardships for your travel and engagements in India," he said.
He explained that limited operational capacity and the temporary closure of several visa centres due to law-and-order concerns had slowed processing. "Despite constraints, we are issuing a large number of visas every day and have resumed business visa services. With limited capacity, we are prioritising urgent and essential cases," he added.
