India Brazil and South Africa trade opportunities for drugmakers

The IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Business Forum, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, has discussed the opportunities and problems of trade between the three countries. Habil Khorakiwala, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce president, spoke out at the meeting about the opportunity for more trade, particularly in pharmaceutical products, between the three countries.

Mr Khorakiwala argued that although Brazil, India and South Africa each have a drug industry, there is room for trade in this sector because they do not turn out the same products, the AllAfrica news agency reported.

South Africa's Trade and Industry Minister, Mandisi Mpahlwa, who attended the tri-national business meeting, promised to deal with complaints about non-tariff obstructions to trade, including improving transport links between the three countries, as well as visas for business trips to South Africa.