Uzbekistan and India plan to expand cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector

Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan held negotiations with a delegation from the Turkish pharmaceutical company Kiperin İlaç Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi. The goal of the meetings was to discuss opportunities for deepening interaction in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Key Areas of Cooperation

The negotiations included Bakhrum Makhatramov, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Advisor to the Chairman Alisher Shaykhov, as well as Tolga Pektaş, CEO of the Turkish company. Issues regarding strengthening trade and economic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkey were discussed.

Participants focused on implementing joint projects in the pharmaceutical industry, increasing investment cooperation, expanding import-export operations, and establishing direct ties between the business communities of both countries.

Investment Climate and Support

Information about the investment climate of Uzbekistan and opportunities for localizing production was presented to representatives of the Turkish firm. Existing state support measures for investors, tax and customs benefits, as well as conditions for foreign trade operations were outlined.

Negotiation Outcomes

Following the discussions, the parties reached an agreement on further joint work on practical pharmaceutical projects. Furthermore, it was decided to promote technology transfer and investments, as well as strengthen business ties between entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan and Turkey.

Company Information

Kiperin İlaç Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi was founded in 2019 and specializes in the production of vitamins, collagen, food additives, and other health products. The company's products are manufactured in accordance with international GMP, HACCP, ISO, and Halal standards and are exported to many foreign countries.

A business forum dedicated to industrial cooperation, investment, and trade between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek on July 28. Following the event, both sides signed a cooperation plan for the period 2026–2028, as well as several agreements in key economic sectors.

Participants and Goals of the Forum

The forum attracted participants such as Erlist Akunbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Food Processing of Kyrgyzstan; Ravshanbek Sabirov, Head of the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan; Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan; and Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Trade of Kyrgyzstan. Representatives of state institutions, development institutes, and companies from both countries also took part.

The event gathered 115 representatives of Uzbek businesses and 95 Kyrgyz entrepreneurs. The main topics of discussion included expanding trade ties, implementing investment projects, and creating new supply chains.

Dynamics of Bilateral Trade

Over the last decade, trade turnover between the two states has increased by more than seven times, reaching a volume of 1.2 billion US dollars. From January to June 2026, bilateral trade grew by 1.5 times compared to the previous year, amounting to 625 million US dollars. Forum participants noted that maintaining the current trend will allow the countries to achieve the target of 2 billion dollars in annual trade by 2027.

Investment and Industrial Partnership

Special attention was paid to investment cooperation and industrial partnerships. Currently, about 450 joint-capital enterprises operate in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, implementing joint projects in automotive manufacturing, textile industry, healthcare, agriculture, and other fields.

The key instrument supporting joint projects remains the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Development Fund, which currently supports 28 initiatives in the fields of transport and logistics, light industry, construction material production, energy, and financial services.

Priority Areas of Cooperation

The sides identified agro-industrial cooperation, the textile industry, pharmaceuticals, and electrical engineering as priority areas. In the agricultural sector, plans include developing seed production, growing potatoes and rice, animal husbandry, and intensive horticulture.

In the textile industry, the countries intend to strengthen interaction in wool and leather processing, as well as finished product manufacturing. Regarding pharmaceuticals, discussions focused on combining production capacities to expand the range of medicines and enter external markets. In electrical engineering, the emphasis was placed on component localization, creating joint ventures, and promoting goods to third-country markets.

Final Agreements

Within the business agenda, entrepreneurs held targeted negotiations on projects in agriculture, food processing, textiles, construction materials, furniture manufacturing, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, logistics, tourism, finance, and trade. Both nations also agreed to support direct interregional contacts and hold the first joint Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan regional forum in Uzbekistan before the end of 2026.

The event concluded with the signing of the Action Plan for Developing Cooperation between the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan and the National Investment Agency under the President of Kyrgyzstan for the period 2026–2028. Furthermore, the sides exchanged agreements regarding the promotion of electrical engineering products, seed production, agricultural science, energy, healthcare, hydraulic engineering, and the development of industrial zones.

A meeting took place in Kabul between the Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Khodjayev, who headed the Uzbek delegation. The governor of the Fergana region, Khayrullo Bozorov, also participated in the negotiations.

Goals of the Visit and Cooperation

The parties discussed the further development of trade and economic interaction, as well as the implementation of previously reached agreements in the field of trade and investment. Jamshid Khodjayev emphasized that the goal of the large Uzbek delegation, which included representatives of state bodies, legislators, entrepreneurs, and investors, is to strengthen political and economic ties between the two countries.

According to him, Afghanistan holds a significant place in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. The delegation's visit was organized at the instruction of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with the aim of beginning the practical implementation of agreements in the sectors of trade and investment and assessing the results of their execution.

Trade Turnover and Visa Regime

Khodjayev reported that last year the volume of Afghanistan's exports to Uzbekistan reached 150 million US dollars. Since the beginning of the current year, this amount has been 111 million US dollars, and further growth is expected by the end of the year. Furthermore, the deputy prime minister noted that Uzbekistan issued 5000 visas to Afghan citizens, which he links to the development of friendly and economic relations.

Position of the Afghan Side

Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund welcomed the Uzbek delegation, calling its visit an important step for further strengthening bilateral relations. He stated that the arrival of such a representative delegation and the development of economic cooperation demonstrate Uzbekistan's confidence in Afghanistan's future. The Prime Minister of Afghanistan also expressed interest in deepening ties with Uzbekistan and confirmed his readiness to fulfill the reached agreements.