ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has allowed import of montanide oil from France to a Lahore-based “ineligible” private company on the recommendations of Ministry of Commerce, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

On December 8, 2020, Commerce Division noted that the Import Policy Order, 2020 vide Sr. No.7, part-II, allows the import of pharmaceutical (allopathic) raw materials in the form of unprocessed ingredients by pharmaceutical industries holding a valid pharmaceutical manufacturing licence.

It was further stated that the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab has requested the Ministry of Commerce in its letter of October 14, 2020 that Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) and Foot and Mouth Disease Research Centre (FMDRC) are dealing with research and manufacturing of veterinary vaccines to be used for controlling various prevalent diseases in livestock and poultry.

They have awarded work order for supply of 37,605 KG of montanide oil for the current fiscal year 2020-21 to a Lahore-based company. Ministry of Commerce has been requested to allow a one-time permission for import of montanide oil by this company.

This company is said to be not an industrial user/manufacturer, so they are not eligible to import montanide oil as per provisions of IPO, 2020. They, however, have exclusive rights as stockest and local distributor on behalf of M/s SEPPIC France for montanide oil and hence work order has been awarded to the company. The Commerce Division sought the approval of the Federal Cabinet to allow one-time permission for import of 37,605 KG of montanide oil by this company for supply to Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab subject to the condition that the said product shall have shelf life as required under Sr. No. 7, Part-II, of IPO, 2020.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020