ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Business-to-Business (B2B) Investment Conference 2026 concluded on Saturday with the signing of 16 agreements involving an estimated USD 850 million in investment in Pakistan’s health sector.
Speaking to Business Recorder during the conference, several senior executives of leading Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare companies said they were keen to establish partnerships with Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry, citing the country’s low production costs and large market potential.
The Chinese investors said they plan to establish medical device manufacturing units, vaccine production plants, and pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing facilities in Pakistan. They noted that these investments would not only benefit Pakistan by strengthening its healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors but would also create opportunities for Chinese companies.
Most of the Chinese firms expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the next two years. They added that all relevant Pakistani stakeholders, including government authorities and partner organisations, had assured them of their full support and cooperation in implementing the projects.
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The achievements of the investment conference were hailed by the Federal Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Syed Mustafa Kamal, saying the success of B2B Investment Conference 2026 will bring an investment of around USD 850 million in agreements. He said that during the conference a total 16 agreements and 80 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed by the investors of the two countries.
Kamal expressed confidence to revolutionise Pakistan pharma & health sector by million dollars’ investment that would not only promote local production but also create new job opportunities.
He said the conference focused on increasing the local production, including vaccines, preparation of raw materials and medical devices that would help to reduce the import bill and enhance the foreign reserves.
At present, Pakistan imports 90 percent of the raw materials for medicines, he said. “The cost of vaccine imports could reach USD 1.2 billion by 2030,” he said, adding, “To remove Pakistan from import dependence, the production of local vaccine is imperative.”
Pakistan’s first vaccine policy has been prepared and approved by the cabinet, which would pave the way to produce the vaccine locally, he said, adding that local production of raw materials will reduce the prices of medicines.
Regarding research and development in the pharma sector, he said, clinical research in the pharma sector trials and vocational training agreements have also been signed, helping the sector to boost research and open new avenues in developing techniques, procedures and medicines to facilitate the public in controlling diseases.
Several reforms have been initiated in the health sector, he said, underscoring that 80 percent operations of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) made digital, enabling users to obtain their drug licenses by applying online from home.
“The license is issued via email within 20 days of registration on the DRAP portal,” he said. He expressed confidence that Pakistan is gaining global recognition in pharma regulation, adding that Pakistan exports medicines to 52 countries at WHO Maturity Level 2 (ML2).
He maintained that DRAP would achieve WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) accreditation by April 2027, after which it would open the way for exports to 100 more countries.
Signing of the agreements in the pharma sector is proof of Pakistan’s business potential, highlighted by the participation of a large number of Chinese companies, the minister said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026