Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Chandrababu Naidu has taken in-principle decision to develop a dedicated 200 acre industrial park for the manufacture of medical devices in his state. The decision was conveyed by Mr Naidu himself following an hour-long tripartite meeting between the CM and his senior officials, senior central government officials with the representatives of Indian medical device industry led by Forum Coordinator of Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AIMED) and Jt. managing director of Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices,  Mr Rajiv Nath.

The Association was able to impress upon Mr Naidu and the Central government representatives as to why it made tremendous sense to have such a facility. In particular, Mr Nath was able to bring out its criticality for the country as well as its contribution for industrial development and employment generation in the state and huge growth potential.

Indian medical device industry is worth over Rs 60,000 crore. And country's humungous import bill for this segment amounts to over Rs 23,000 crore (approximately $4 billion) while export amounts to only over Rs 7000 crore ($1.1 billion). India's import dependency on high-end medical devices is over 80 per cent and 60-70 percent for other devices And this is where the dedicated medical device park would be of great value - reducing humongous import dependency, increasing export while generating wealth and employment within.

"I am extremely thankful to Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu for recognizing the opportunity and taking a quick and firm decision to set up India's first medical device park in his state," said Mr Rajiv Nath.

"This will be a wonderful opportunity for the state to increase its industrial footprint, create employment while giving a big boost to import substitution for the country. We are truly excited with the decision," added Mr Nath.

Mr Naidu has also assured AIMED representatives that he will personally address any issue over implementation of the decision and looked forward to early commencement of work and for the needful policy support required. Dedicated areas will soon be identified for the medical device park. The Park will be having a Common Manufacturing Facility Centre to act as a Hub for SME Sector to enable it to flourish as a Cluster. Focus will be on creating an Eco System for High End Medical Device Manufacturing and Import Substitution with an eye for Export Market.

Shri Sudesh Pant, Jt. secy Dept of Pharmaceutical and Shri Ravi Capoor, Jt secy Dept of Commerce, Government of India along with Dr Poonam Malakondaiah, Health Secretary AP Govt , Mr Kamineni Srinivas Health Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Dr Jitendar Sharma, Advisor to AP Govt. on Health & Medical Technology (also the head of Technology Division of NHSRC, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI ) were part of the meeting.

Apart from Mr Rajiv Nath, the industry was represented Mr A Manikam, Director of Trivitron, Mr Rakesh Shah of Siora Surgicals representing the orthopedic implants and Mr Krishna Prasad President of Prognosys Medical Systems represented the Electronic Sector and Mr. Suresh Sugavanam VP of UL India, the Testing and Certification Fraternity.

Central government officials apprised the meeting that the government was working at the highest level to address the issue of inverted duty structure which is stunting growth of this industry and provide preferential market access to boost domestic manufacturing. It was also informed that a new Draft Policy on Medical Device sector was also being worked upon and shortly a National Policy on Medical Device will be released.