BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: ASSOCHAM has asked it's 450,000 industry and trade members to work in close coordination with the Central and State Governments in dealing with the global pandemic of Coronavirus.

“Follow the medical and health protocols as prescribed by the authorities to be on top of the unprecedented situation, backed by strong cushions like large foreign exchange reserves, available with the policy makers,” the Chamber Secretary General Deepak Sood said.

“While India has so far dealt with the global health crisis in a proactive manner, we in the industry have to join in this drive to ensure that no panic is created in our financial markets which have a robust institutional strength,” said the ASSOCHAM Secretary General.

Meanwhile, the ASSOCHAM is reaching out to its vast membership to continue with their businesses, using unconventional ways and digital infrastructure more effectively to mitigate the coronavirus impact.

Mr Sood said , “Some of the sectors like pharmaceuticals are rising up to the challenges with the support of the government. For instance, the recent direction from the Ministry of Environment to grant quick clearances for manufacturing facilities of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is a welcome move.”

ASSOCHAM stated that the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs to evacuate Indians stranded in different parts of the world and reach out to other parts with medical facilities are laudable, while the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to panic but stay cautious should be followed in right earnest.