Novartis (Bangladesh) aims to expand business further
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Raihan M Chowdhury
Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited will expand its business in the country aiming to contribute more to the national economy.
"In terms of infrastructure, we are proud of the human resources and structural capacity that we have. In addition, we will expand in terms of human capital and generate business growth above market standards," managing director of the Swiss-based global pharmaceutical company's Bangladesh chapter, Ashfaque ur Rahman told The FE Wednesday.
The company recorded higher growth both in local and international markets in 2005 and 2006.
"The Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry has a turnover of nearly Tk 33.67 billion and the country exports pharmaceutical products worth more than Tk 1.80 billion per year. Of which, Novartis (Bangladesh) has a share of about Tk 1.0 billion. It exports to nearly 30 countries, making it the country's largest exporter," he said.
Novartis is the fourth largest company in research, development and manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the world.
Created in 1997 through the merger of Ciba Geigy and Sandoz,
Novartis has been working in Bangladesh since 1973.
Replying to a question on the major contribution of Novartis in Bangladesh pharmaceutical sector, Ashfaque said: "We believe the primary contribution of Novartis emanates from our normal business activities - innovate new products and market the same successfully to cure diseases, ease sufferings and enhance the quality of life."
He further added: "Our commitment to research contributes to the development of medicine and social welfare. We recognise the role of quality generic drugs in the society."
Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited employs around 1000 people, many of them highly skilled and trained. Among them some even are holding key positions in the company's overseas operation.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a top priority of the company.
"We aspire to establish ourselves as responsible and conscious global corporate citizen based on trust, transparency and accountability," he said.
Commenting on the Novartis Biotechnology Camp 2007 (BioCamp) held in Japan, he said his company is trying to arrange similar conference in Bangladesh in near future.
The BioCamp, 2007 opened the door for Bangladesh students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the latest developments in the biotechnology industry,
Biotechnology is now a key segment for any national economy with an eye on the future, as well as a global industry that spans national borders.
"I feel proud that two Bangladeshi students showed their talent before top world figures in the field of biotechnology and business at the conference," Ashfaque said.
Sagar Sen, an MBA final semester student of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University (DU) and Sadia Mahboob, a part four student of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) of DU attended the three-day international conference on biotechnology held in Tokyo, which ended October 8 last.
The conference brought together the industry experts, renowned academics and top bioscience and business management majors.
Novartis and its affiliates have been organising the event since 2004. The first one took place in Taiwan.
Bangladesh, for the first time, took part in the BioCamp, arranged by Novartis Bangladesh and also won prizes.
"Obviously, it would be a milestone event in the field of Bangladesh's growing pharmaceutical industry, if we could successfully arrange the event," he hoped.
Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited will expand its business in the country aiming to contribute more to the national economy.
"In terms of infrastructure, we are proud of the human resources and structural capacity that we have. In addition, we will expand in terms of human capital and generate business growth above market standards," managing director of the Swiss-based global pharmaceutical company's Bangladesh chapter, Ashfaque ur Rahman told The FE Wednesday.
The company recorded higher growth both in local and international markets in 2005 and 2006.
"The Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry has a turnover of nearly Tk 33.67 billion and the country exports pharmaceutical products worth more than Tk 1.80 billion per year. Of which, Novartis (Bangladesh) has a share of about Tk 1.0 billion. It exports to nearly 30 countries, making it the country's largest exporter," he said.
Novartis is the fourth largest company in research, development and manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the world.
Created in 1997 through the merger of Ciba Geigy and Sandoz,
Novartis has been working in Bangladesh since 1973.
Replying to a question on the major contribution of Novartis in Bangladesh pharmaceutical sector, Ashfaque said: "We believe the primary contribution of Novartis emanates from our normal business activities - innovate new products and market the same successfully to cure diseases, ease sufferings and enhance the quality of life."
He further added: "Our commitment to research contributes to the development of medicine and social welfare. We recognise the role of quality generic drugs in the society."
Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited employs around 1000 people, many of them highly skilled and trained. Among them some even are holding key positions in the company's overseas operation.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a top priority of the company.
"We aspire to establish ourselves as responsible and conscious global corporate citizen based on trust, transparency and accountability," he said.
Commenting on the Novartis Biotechnology Camp 2007 (BioCamp) held in Japan, he said his company is trying to arrange similar conference in Bangladesh in near future.
The BioCamp, 2007 opened the door for Bangladesh students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the latest developments in the biotechnology industry,
Biotechnology is now a key segment for any national economy with an eye on the future, as well as a global industry that spans national borders.
"I feel proud that two Bangladeshi students showed their talent before top world figures in the field of biotechnology and business at the conference," Ashfaque said.
Sagar Sen, an MBA final semester student of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University (DU) and Sadia Mahboob, a part four student of Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) of DU attended the three-day international conference on biotechnology held in Tokyo, which ended October 8 last.
The conference brought together the industry experts, renowned academics and top bioscience and business management majors.
Novartis and its affiliates have been organising the event since 2004. The first one took place in Taiwan.
Bangladesh, for the first time, took part in the BioCamp, arranged by Novartis Bangladesh and also won prizes.
"Obviously, it would be a milestone event in the field of Bangladesh's growing pharmaceutical industry, if we could successfully arrange the event," he hoped.