Pakistan, China launch major pharma investment drive to boost local manufacturing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have launched a major investment initiative to strengthen cooperation in pharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare and biotechnology, bringing together hundreds of companies from both countries to explore new business opportunities, technology transfer and industrial partnerships.

The two-day Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical & Healthcare B2B Investment Conference 2026, jointly organised by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), aims to accelerate investment in Pakistan's healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

The conference has attracted around 160 Chinese pharmaceutical companies, represented by nearly 180 delegates, alongside approximately 340 Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare firms and entrepreneurs. Participants are taking part in business-to-business meetings, networking sessions and investment discussions focused on joint ventures, advanced manufacturing technologies and long-term commercial collaboration.

Addressing the opening session, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan has developed a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base, producing nearly 85% of its finished medicines locally. However, he noted that the country still imports almost 90% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other raw materials needed for medicine production.

He said expanding cooperation with Chinese manufacturers could help Pakistan localise the production of pharmaceutical raw materials, reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the resilience of the country's medicine supply chain.

The minister added that increasing domestic manufacturing capacity would improve medicine security, support industrial development and help reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Organisers said the conference is also intended to promote collaboration in biotechnology, medical equipment manufacturing, healthcare technologies and regulatory cooperation. Discussions are expected to focus on improving production standards, encouraging innovation and expanding Pakistan's pharmaceutical exports to regional and global markets.

The initiative aligns with Pakistan's broader economic strategy of attracting foreign direct investment, increasing industrial output and strengthening export-oriented sectors under ongoing economic reforms.

Officials expect the conference to lay the foundation for long-term partnerships between Pakistani and Chinese companies while enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry through technology transfer, investment and knowledge sharing.