Emami plans OTC foray in Pakistan

Emami Ltd is in talks with three allopathic drug manufacturers for setting up a joint venture over-the-counter medicine company in Pakistan.

"We are in advanced stages of negotiation with three companies. Talks are expected to be concluded by the next couple of months with these companies after which we will zero in on one of the manufacturers. A team comprising top management executives will visit us by the end of the month and early next month," said Prasant Goenka, director of Emami group of companies.

Emami has also firmed up plans of floating a joint venture company in Bangladesh and which is scheduled to commence commercial production by December this year. Here too, Emami has tied with a local partner and is setting up a joint venture company.

In Bangladesh, Emami will concentrate on ayurvedic products, cosmetics and toiletries.

At present, Emami has managed to corner around 3 per cent of the antiseptic cream market and intends to be the largest player in segments where it will operate in Bangladesh.

The company is developing an international brand -- Ayucare under which it will launch around nine products initially.

These will be food supplements, and other ayurvedic products and followed by massages oils, and OTC medicines.

Emami products are available in 28 countries and exports constitute around 10 per cent of its turnover at $150 million.