The Gandhidham-Kandla industrial complex, one of Gujarat’s most prominent industrial hubs handling nearly 40% of India’s EXIM trade through the ports of Kandla and Mundra, has sought urgent regulatory support to streamline export processes for the pharma and cosmetics sector.
The Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has submitted a representation to Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, requesting the establishment of a full-fledged Assistant Drugs Controller Office at Gandhidham or Mundra.
In a detailed communication, GCCI President Shri Teja Kangad highlighted the operational challenges faced by exporters in obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs). A significant number of MSMEs and 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs) operate from Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), India’s first SEZ, contributing substantially to export volumes in pharma and cosmetics.
Currently, exporters are required to obtain NOCs from the Assistant Drugs Controller’s Office in Ahmedabad. As per existing procedures, applications can only be processed after the Late Export Order (LEO) is granted by Customs. This leaves exporters with a narrow time window—often just a few hours before vessel departure—leading to frequent shipment rollovers, increased logistics costs, and financial losses.
GCCI Hon. Secretary Shri Mahesh Tirthani noted that establishing a local office could potentially add around 2,000 TEUs (40-ft containers) annually from Kutch ports. He emphasized that a dedicated facility at Kandla or Mundra Customs would eliminate delays, reduce costs, and significantly improve export efficiency.
The Chamber stressed that the proposed move would provide a long-term solution to existing procedural bottlenecks and enhance the competitiveness of exporters in the region. It further reiterated that such an initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of “Ease of Doing Business” by simplifying regulatory frameworks and strengthening the export ecosystem in Kutch.
The development was shared by GCCI Hon. Secretary Shri Mahesh Tirthani in a press note.
