Argentina to sort out Indian drugs restriction issue

Argentina has assured India that it will resolve the issue of restrictions on import of Indian drugs to the Latin American country.

The issue was raised by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya during his bilateral meeting with Argentina's Minister Of Industry Debora Giorgy at Buenos Aires yesterday.

"The Argentine Minister assured that she would find a solution to the problem," the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

Giorgy said that drugs worth $150-$200 million would be purchased from Indian companies by Argentina.

"The Indian pharmaceutical industry is among the world's largest and most developed. Increased market access of Indian products can benefit both the countries," Scindia said.

In the meeting, Scindia also highlighted the difficulties facing by Indian businessmen in obtaining Argentine visa.

He said the visa issue should be resolved soon to boost bilateral trade and investment between the countries.

"There is a need to introduce a new element in bilateral relationship: people-to-people, along with government-to-government and business-to-business," he said.

Further, the minister said that India and Latin American countries can increase cooperation in sectors like automobiles, IT, oil and gas, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.