The representative packaging exhibition for food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics process and packaging, 'Korea Pack 2022 (International Process & Packing Exhibition) and ICPI WEEK 2022 (International Cosmetics Pharmaceutical Industry Week)', opened on the 14th at KINTEX 1 and 2 in Goyang and was held for 4 days.

The exhibition consisted of; Hall 1 Korea International Materials Handling & Logistics Exhibition (Korea Mat); Halls 2-5 Packaging machinery, materials, eco-friendly packaging, Cosmetic-Pharmaceutical-Bio Process & Technology Exhibition (Cophex), and the International Exhibition for Chemical Processing, Fine & Specialty Chemicals (Korea Chem). At the same time the ICPI Week (International Cosmetics Pharmaceutical Industry Week) exhibition and conference for pharmaceutical and cosmetic product development was held at KINTEX 2 (Halls 7 and 8). It served as a source of relevant information on related industries to visitors of the packaging exhibition.

In particular, the overseas national pavilion prepared in this exhibition attracted attention with the participation of several countries such as Italy, India, and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA). Among them, a total of 10 African continental companies participated in the 'GSA' area which took place in Hall 7 of Exhibition Hall 2.

India is the world's leading producer of pharmaceutics and a major exporter of Korean packaging machine manufacturers. In addition, it is one of the world's leading exporters of raw material drugs. It has prepared counseling booths for 40 companies, including raw material drugs, at the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio Industry Exhibition (Korea Pharm & Bio). On the 15th, the Korea-India Pharma Business Forum was hosted by the Indian Embassy in Korea, and sponsored by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers' Association, PHARMEXCIL, and the Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association.

A total of 21 Indian companies and associations set up booths in the "PHARMEXCIL" area, which was located in Hall 7 of Exhibition Hall 2. At the exhibition site, we met and interviewed Murali Krishna S, Director of PHARMEXCIL, who represented the area.

Q1. Please introduce the kind of place 'PHARMEXCIL' is.

A. Director Murali Krishna S: PHARMEXCIL is the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India. We propose friendly solutions to the Indian government, institutions, and foreign institutions for bio-related problems. We also play a role in suggesting various measures regarding the export policies of pharmaceutical companies to the Indian government.

In India, there are strict and high standards for raw materials when manufacturing pharmaceuticals, and it issues certificates of origin and RCMCs (Registration cum membership certificate) to companies that have passed them.

In addition, we hold regular seminars and mutual exchange meetings on issues related to the export of bio-related companies in India. We also conduct business meetings overseas to develop the bio industry in India.

Q2. What motivated you to participate in this exhibition?

A. Director Murali Krishna S: PHARMEXCIL promotes and exports active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are key pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as the finished dosage forms (FDFs) manufactured through them. We also deal with herbal-related manufacturing products and nutritional supplements.

Korea's technology in the field of biotechnology is known globally. It has since stood out globally as a country with immense growth potential in bio-technology through the COVID-19 pandemic. India also has a history of treatment since Ayurveda, which we've used to heal with herbs since ancient times, which has lead us to the current biotechnology.

We've come a long distance to help contribute to the growth of Korea's bio sector and to form a partnership between Korea and India. Along with several bio companies in India, we've come to participate to create opportunities to promote and export with the Korean bio industry.

What we are emphasizing in this exhibition are active pharmaceutical ingredients APIs, finished dosage forms (FDFs), and biosimilars. We also participated in order to provide more light on India's long history and strict standards that guarantee the capabilities of our biotechnology. We expect to create a synergetic relationship where we help each other with a mutually beneficial strategy for biotechnology, if we succeed in cooperating.

Q3. What have you achieved through the exhibition?

A. Director Murali Krishna S: It is my 7th visit to Korea with the help of the Indian government. In 2019, we signed an MOU for business partnership with the Korea Drug Research Association (KDRA). As such, you can see that India's bio sector is working hard in various ways to maintain a steady relationship with Korea.

This exhibition provided an opportunity to introduce the members of the association to Korea. The members of the association participating in the exhibition are unknown in Korea, but they are companies that are conducting R&D through difficult conditions in India.

It is a pity that talented companies are not very known in Korea, but I think that a closer relationship between the two countries is necessary. Using this exhibition as a stepping stone, I hope that various bio-related companies in India will become more known and have opportunities to deepen relationships with Korean bio companies.

Q4. If there are plans for cooperation with Korea in the future, please explain them.

A. Director Murali Krishna S: 'Vaccine'-related technology in Korea is highly regarded. Vaccines are not just about development and manufacturing. Although this has been proven through the pandemic, but it must also be maintained in an appropriate environment and delivered in a timely manner.

Regarding vaccine management, Korea has developed storage and saving technology. They are able to maintain constant temperature and humidity, and this technology has been proven all over the world with refrigerators and kimchi refrigerators from Korean companies. In addition, a fast delivery system was applied to the vaccine, which meant that vaccines were supplied safely and quickly. Through this exhibition, we were able to confirm Korea's cold-chain related technology.

Above all, looking at the technological prowess of several bio companies from Korea, I was able to see the possibilities of cooperation especially in vaccine research and development. Korea's bio industry is focusing on drug development, and India has a variety of API data. Our strength is that we can provide better APIs to Korean biotechnology at a low price. If India's API is exported to Korea's vaccine development field, it will be mutually beneficial to both countries' bioindustry.

Meanwhile, KOREA PACK 2022, co-hosted by the Korea Packaging Machinery Association, The Monthly Packaging, and Kyungyon Exhibition Corp, showcased the manufacturing process, packaging equipment, packaging materials and converting of all industries including food, beverage, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, household goods, and chemical industry, as well as the entire supply chain of logistics, distribution, and automation after packaging all in one place.

It was mainly comprised of; Hall 1 Korea International Materials Handling & Logistics Exhibition (Korea Mat); Halls 2-5 Packaging machinery, materials, eco-friendly packaging, Cosmetic-Pharmaceutical-Bio Process & Technology Exhibition (Cophex), and the International Exhibition for Chemical Processing, Fine & Specialty Chemicals (Korea Chem), and at the same time the ICPI Week (International Cosmetics Pharmaceutical Industry Week) exhibition and conference for pharmaceutical and cosmetic product development was held at KINTEX 2 (Halls 7 and 8), and provided information on related industries to visitors of the packaging exhibition.