Growing levels of affluence and awareness about products aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly and the disabled have made India one of the top five markets globally for bathroom products designed specifically for these people, according to Hans Løve Høegh, Commercial Director, Pressalit Care, Denmark.

He says his company might look at establishing a manufacturing facility in India once it gets a foothold into the Indian market and there is sufficient demand in the country.

Speaking to Business Line here after signing a deal with Covai Property Centre (India) Pvt Ltd for marketing its products in the country, he said the company had been supplying specialised bathroom products — European Water Closets (EWCs), washbasins and showers — in India through a Mumbai-based distributor for more than a decade but they were limited to hotel and airport segments. But now the company will focus on a bigger market of senior citizens and differently abled persons, a market that is growing.

He said the first shipment from Denmark is expected in two-three months.He said the company’s products could be adjusted to suit the requirements of the users, depending on their age/physical disability, physical size etc. Høegh said the import duty and other taxes pushed up the cost but was hopeful of this being rationalised with better understanding about the role of these products in improving the quality of life.

Col (retd) A Sridharan, Managing Director, Covai Property Centre, said while the customs duty was only 15 per cent on ceramic products, with additional taxes, VAT etc., the overall duties balloon to 27 per cent. But if treated as medical device, the customs duty would come down to 5 per cent.

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