Reported end date passed· Health

Production of animal vaccines

The applicant, Hester Biosciences, is the second largest producer of poultry vaccines in India. To meet the increasing international demand for animal vaccines, Hester is seeking ways to expand its production capacity and extend its product range. Internationally, demand for PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) vaccine and CSF (Classical Swine Fever) vaccine is much higher that supply. However, India does not allow production of these vaccines, as the diseases do not occur in India (only vaccines based on the India strain are allowed, while international markets demand the Nigerian strain).Therefore, Hester aims to set up a production plant in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal in joint venture with Him Electronics, part of the Golchha organisation, one of Nepal's top-three industrial houses. The joint venture will produce for the local market (5% to 10%), but most of the production will be for international sales. The project will the first commercial production of animal vaccines in Nepal and create 66 direct jobs (30 basic-, 36 medium-/ high-level). All staff will be trained on the job in the production facility of Hester Biosciences in India and later on in the new plant in Nepal. The production plant will meet international bio-security (BDL-2) and quality standards (GMP, OHSAS, and ISO 14001:2004).Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The plant will be certified for ISO 9001:2008 and GMP. In addition, standards for ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 will be introduced, but these certifications can only be obtained 12 to 24 months after project completion. The bio safety standards will adhere to BSL-2 criteria.Impact• Employment and working conditionsThe project will create 66 jobs (30 basic-level, 36 medium-/ high-level), increased to 200 (90 basic, 110 medium/high) after follow-up investments. Salaries will be at least 20% above minimum wage. Working conditions will be up to international OHSAS and ISO 14000 standards.• Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThis high tech project will transfer knowledge in these areas of expertise: veterinary sciences, animal vaccine production procedures and quality assurance in the supply chain.• Chain effectsThe project will create 25 indirect jobs with the 6 (sub)dealers in Nepal.• EnvironmentThe impact on the environment will be neutral, as the project takes adequate measures (BSL-2 and ISO 14001:2004 standards).• Position of womenAt least 30% of the staff will be female, including medium/high-level positions.

Source-reported status: completed. Timeline labels use reported dates and do not verify current activity.