INDIA’S government has committed to send pharmaceutical experts to the Philippines to help lower the cost of medicines here, Malacañang said Sunday.
“That is the commitment of India, that they will send their experts in making medicines in order to help lower the cost of our medicines,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar told dzBB radio.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has said at least nine Indian companies from the renewable energy, wellness, pharmaceuticals and information technology-business process management sectors have pledged at least $1.25 billion, or about P64 billion, in investments in the Philippines.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte embarked on a three-day trip to India to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-India Commemorative Summit and the host country’s Republic Day.
Duterte in November last year expressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Philippines’ eagerness to welcome Indian investments to provide affordable medicines to Filipinos.
Meanwhile, Lopez said the investments in the IT-BPM sector alone could generate around 100,000 jobs in one year.