Uzbekistan Eyes Navoi as Regional Pharmaceutical Hub Following Talks with Pakistani Companies
Karachi, The Gulf Observer: Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, held productive meetings in Karachi with leading Pakistani pharmaceutical companies, The Searle Company Limited and Getz Pharma, focusing on potential collaboration to establish modern pharmaceutical production facilities in Uzbekistan’s Navoi Region.
The discussions highlighted a shared interest in positioning Navoi as a strategic gateway to the Central Asian market, which comprises over 85 million people. Participants underscored Uzbekistan’s growing pharmaceutical sector, valued at more than $5 billion, alongside imports exceeding $2.5 billion, signaling strong opportunities for local production and import substitution.
Key areas of cooperation included the localization of pharmaceutical manufacturing, technology transfer, workforce development, and the implementation of joint investment projects. The talks also explored the readiness of Pakistani firms to utilize Navoi as a regional platform for expansion into Central Asia.
The Navoi Region was presented as an optimal investment destination, offering a Free Economic Zone, a well-developed industrial base, modern logistics infrastructure, and an international airport, ensuring efficient access to regional markets.
As a result of the meetings, both sides agreed on several concrete steps, including organizing visits by Pakistani pharmaceutical experts to Navoi, jointly developing investment proposals, initiating feasibility studies, and fostering a long-term industrial partnership.
The engagement marks a significant step toward establishing a regional pharmaceutical hub, with expectations of tangible projects, increased investment, and job creation in the near future, further strengthening economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
