Panaji, Aug 2 (IANS): The Rs.6,500 crore pharmaceutical industry in Goa will stand to benefit by millions of rupees if Mormugao is scheduled as a designated port for exports of pharmaceutical goods, according to an industry insider.

Mormugao, 40 km from here, is Goa's only commercial port. According to president of the Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (GPMA) Arun Naik, 72 pharmaceutical units, including multinational companies like Cipla and Ciba Geigy, have to export pharma products from Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, which is the closest notified pharmaceutical exports port, 600 km from here.

"At present, the exports are routed through JNPT (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) Nhava Sheva, thereby incurring an avoidable expense of at least Rs.35,000 per container. Apart from this, are the man-hours lost in coordination till the consignment reaches the port. Add to this the congestion in Nhava Sheva because of large import-export traffic leading to delays," Naik told reporters.

He added that pharmaceutical products manufactured in Goa were exported to Europe, Middle East, Africa as well as the Americas.

"We have already taken the MPT (Mormugao Port Trust) officials into confidence and are lobbying for getting the Mormugao port in Goa notified as a designated port for import and export of pharmaceutical goods. This will save us millions as far as transit and logistical issues are concerned," Naik said.

"The MPT has already issued us a letter showing their willingness to rent out the premises and have spoken to the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) about the matter. The notification making Goa the designated port is likely to be issued this month," he said.