Landmark Islamabad conference attracts major Chinese investment, boosts local manufacturing, vaccine production, and healthcare sector growth
Pakistan has secured pharmaceutical agreements worth US$629.5 million following the successful Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference held in Islamabad, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s healthcare industry and attracting foreign investment.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal announced the achievement during a press conference, describing the event as a major milestone in the government’s strategy to transform Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector into a globally competitive industry.
He said the initiative aims to enhance local manufacturing, encourage technology transfer, reduce reliance on imports, and improve Pakistan’s standing as an attractive destination for investment.
The two-day conference, held on July 17-18, brought together 240 Chinese delegates from 140 leading pharmaceutical companies and 430 Pakistani representatives from 210 local firms. It became one of the largest Pakistan-China engagements dedicated exclusively to the pharmaceutical sector.
To ensure meaningful business outcomes, the Ministry of National Health Services facilitated six weeks of virtual business matchmaking before the conference.
This preparatory effort enabled participating companies to engage in detailed discussions and investment planning before meeting in person.
As a result, the conference generated 340 bilateral business meetings, leading to 22 commercial agreements valued at US$629.5 million.
In addition, participants signed 84 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth an estimated US$800 million, many of which are expected to evolve into formal investment projects in the coming months.
The agreements cover several strategic areas, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), local vaccine production, clinical trials, generic formulations, injectables, and medical device manufacturing.
Vaccine production and medical devices accounted for the largest share of agreements, reflecting growing interest in expanding Pakistan’s healthcare manufacturing capabilities.
The minister emphasized that the government’s priority extends beyond signing MoUs and focuses on converting agreements into practical investments that generate employment, transfer technology, and strengthen industrial growth.
He highlighted Pakistan’s newly approved National Local Vaccine Production Policy, which aims to establish domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and reduce dependence on imported vaccines currently used in the national immunization program.
Kamal also outlined future collaboration with Chinese partners in clinical research, traditional Chinese medicine, pharmaceutical workforce training, and local API production. He noted that while Pakistan manufactures nearly 85% of its medicines locally, around 95% of pharmaceutical raw materials are still imported.
The minister further highlighted reforms at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), where approximately 85% of regulatory procedures have been digitized.
These reforms have improved transparency, reduced processing times, and enhanced the ease of doing business. He noted that medical device registrations, which previously took years, can now be completed online with approvals issued within 20 days.
Concluding his remarks, Kamal described the conference as the foundation of a long-term strategic healthcare partnership between Pakistan and China.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the swift implementation of the agreements, helping boost exports, create jobs, strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing, and support Pakistan’s economic growth.