Uzbekistan, Afghanistan aim to boost pharmaceutical trade to $500 million

According to a statement by the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry under the Ministry of Health (Uzpharmagency), Director Abdulla Azizov met with Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, during an official visit to Kabul.

Both sides recognized Uzbek pharmaceutical products as competitive and high quality, and they committed to working toward the $500 million trade target. To support this goal, both parties proposed forming a joint operational working group, developing cooperation based on Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards, and engaging major distributors directly.

They also highlighted the need for a technical working group, robust information exchange, and prompt bilateral agreements.

Separately, on April 4, a delegation of Uzbekistan chaired by Azizov and his deputy, Zafar Kasimov, held a meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali. The meeting identified priority areas of cooperation: improving the qualifications of Afghan specialists in the quality assessment of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and dietary supplements; expanding Uzbek pharmaceutical supplies; and advancing joint industrial projects. It was stated these steps would elevate mutually beneficial cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector to a new level.

During meetings in Kabul, the delegation also met with the leadership of the Afghanistan Drug and Food Administration (AFDA), the national authority responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals and food. The two delegations discussed challenges in exporting pharmaceutical products from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan and identified lengthy drug registration procedures as a key obstacle.

During the meeting, the parties proposed establishing a showroom in Afghanistan to promote Uzbek pharmaceutical products, simplifying and accelerating registration procedures, enabling local manufacturers to participate in Afghanistan’s public procurement processes, and boosting export volumes through joint projects.

The sides also looked to build cooperation with distributors, broaden the product range, and form a technical working group. Besides, they emphasized stronger information exchange, rapid issue resolution, and deeper cooperation.