The Agency for the Development of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan and South Korea discussed the possibility of deepening interaction in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The areas under discussion include the creation of research infrastructure, conducting clinical trials, and applying artificial intelligence in medicine.
The Agency's Director, Abdullah Azizov, held a meeting with a delegation from South Korea. This delegation included Regina Han, Director of the Korea Foundation for International Health Assistance (KOFIH); Sangjin Kang, Director of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF); Soon Lee, Director of the Research Institute of Sustainable Technological Innovation and Consulting (RISTI), as well as representatives from relevant organizations.
One of the key issues reviewed was the development of the scientific research base. The parties also discussed expanding clinical and preclinical studies, as well as implementing the Smart Biocluster project. Special attention was paid to training highly qualified specialists, as well as integrating digital technologies and AI-based solutions into the healthcare system.
Azizov emphasized that South Korea is one of Uzbekistan's important strategic partners in the fields of pharmaceuticals and healthcare. He noted that the implementation of joint initiatives is critically important for advancing science, innovation, and biotechnology.
Representatives from South Korea highly praised the reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, as well as the initiatives presented at the meeting. They also noted the potential for expanding partnership into new areas.
The Agency for the Development of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry was established by Presidential Decree No. UP-5229 dated November 7, 2017, 'On Measures for the Fundamental Improvement of the Pharmaceutical Industry Management System.' The agency's main tasks include developing and implementing sustainable development strategies for the pharmaceutical industry, market research, analyzing the availability of medicines for the population and medical institutions, and preparing proposals for expanding the domestic market and localizing production.
Furthermore, the agency facilitates interaction between industry enterprises and leading foreign pharmaceutical companies, promotes the development of new drugs and the implementation of international standards and best practices. It regulates pharmaceutical activities through licensing, coordinates the implementation of an information system for monitoring the movement of pharmaceutical products, and participates in the development of medicines, medical devices, and equipment. The agency is also responsible for training pharmaceutical specialists according to international educational standards and coordinating the activities of the Directorate of the Innovative Scientific and Production Pharmaceutical Cluster of Tashkent Pharmpark.
During the working visit of the Director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, Abdulla Azizov, to India, Uzbekistan and India discussed opportunities to deepen interaction in the field of pharmaceuticals.
The meeting took place with India's Minister of Trade and Industry, Piyush Goyal, as part of the Uzbek delegation led by the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov.
The parties reviewed issues of further development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as increasing bilateral trade turnover, expanding industrial partnership, and supporting joint investment projects.
The negotiators paid special attention to interaction in the pharmaceutical field. They discussed prospects for joint production of medicines and medical devices, technology transfer, scientific research, implementation of innovative developments, and realization of high value-added projects.
At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and India, expanding business contacts, and continuing joint work on promising projects.
Representatives of state bodies and business circles from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan discussed opportunities for partnership in the field of pharmaceuticals, industrial cooperation, and joint investment projects. The event took place as part of the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum held in Bishkek.
A panel session dedicated to healthcare and pharmaceuticals was organized within this forum. During the session, a representative of the Agency for the Development of Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan presented information on the investment potential of the country's pharmaceutical sector.
Forum participants received information about current investment projects being implemented in Uzbekistan, as well as about state support measures, the investment climate, and opportunities provided by free economic zones. Furthermore, reforms aimed at developing the pharmaceutical industry were presented.
During the discussion, the parties also exchanged views on expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the field of drug production, technology transfer, and the implementation of joint initiatives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
