(a) whether consequential to the new patent regime and the end of the multi fibre agreement textiles and Pharmaceutical sectors will emerge as major sector in the global stage; and
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to explore potential of these two sectors?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a) It is generally felt that the Indian Pharmaceutical sector will be benefited with the introduction of the product patent regime as this is likely to provide an impetus to growth in the Research & Development activities. It will also enhance the credibility of Indian system to protect the intellectual property. The Indian pharmaceutical industry has itself experienced a transformation in recent years, and is expected to take this opportunity to use it to the fullest to become a world leader in this knowledge based sector.
It is also felt that India`s textile & clothing exports would increase substantially as a consequence of end of textile quota regime, since now the limitations have been removed.
(b) The steps taken by Government to make the textile industry globally competitive include operationalization of the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme(TUFS); extension of the facility of accelerated depreciation at the rate of 50% to weaving, processing and garment machinery; reduction of customs duty on shuttleless looms from 15% to 5%; launch of Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) to improve productivity and quality of cotton; launch of a centrally sponsored scheme titled `Apparel Park for Export Scheme`; launch of `Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme`(TCIDS) for upgrading infrastructure facilities at important textile centres.
The steps taken by the Government to explore potential of the pharmaceutical sector globally include introduction of provisions for export of patented pharmaceutical products to any country having insufficient or no manufacturing capacity in the pharmaceutical sector, modernization of Patent Offices, introduction of an internationally credible legal framework to attract investments in R&D and clinical outsourcing projects.