During his visit to India, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders from two major Indian pharmaceutical corporations in New Delhi on July 31 morning. Among the notable discussions was a proposal from SMS Pharmaceuticals to invest in a $5 billion pharmaceutical park in Nghi Son, Thanh Hoa province.

Proposal for a 500-hectare pharmaceutical park in Thanh Hoa

Chairman and CEO of SMS Pharmaceuticals, P. Ramesh Babu, outlined the company's vision for a large-scale pharmaceutical park. The proposed park would require 500 hectares of cleared land and is expected to begin commercial production within 6 to 8 months of commencement. The primary location suggested for this investment is Nghi Son, Thanh Hoa.

Health Minister Dao Hong Lan confirmed that the company had conducted surveys in various provinces before selecting Thanh Hoa for their investment. However, she noted that some aspects of the proposal remain under discussion, and no formal meetings have yet been held with the Ministry of Health.

The pharmaceutical park will focus on producing various medications, including COVID-19 treatments, antibiotics, and cancer therapies. The corporation aims to invest $4 to $5 billion over the next 10 to 12 years, said Babu.

Planning and Investment Minister Nguyen Chi Dung supported the proposed location, saying that Nghi Son is suitable for this project. However, the scale of 500 hectares may need adjustment to ensure efficient land use in high-tech investments.

Dung assured that the Ministry would coordinate with Thanh Hoa authorities to facilitate the swift execution of necessary procedures for this project.

Babu emphasized the dynamic development environment in Vietnam, stating that Vietnam offers a favorable investment climate, and his group is ready to contribute to its growth.

Prime Minister Chinh welcomed the investment proposal, highlighting its strategic importance. "Choosing Vietnam for your pharmaceutical park is a wise decision. Success for your company is success for Vietnam. We are committed to supporting your endeavors," he affirmed.

Establishing a data center for cancer treatment

Prime Minister Chinh also engaged with Dharmesh Shah, Founder and Chairman of BDR Pharmaceuticals, discussing the potential for investment in Vietnam's healthcare sector. Shah expressed interest in establishing a data center focused on radiation and chemotherapy for cancer treatment, leveraging successful models implemented in India.

BDR has just been approved for its drug distribution system in Europe. Therefore, investing in Vietnam will help the group establish a joint venture to implement the project, benefiting both sides.

In addition to drug manufacturing, the group also aims to establish a data center related to radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer treatment in Vietnam. This model has been successfully implemented in India.

Mr. Shah expressed his desire to create a destination for diagnosis and treatment through the data center to benefit poor patients, alongside producing pharmaceuticals for export.

Highlighting the prevalence of cancer, the Prime Minister noted that Vietnam needs a strategy to prevent and combat cancer to protect public health.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that both sides would work decisively and engage in detailed discussions to implement feasible projects.

Thu Hang