Pakistan has highlighted its growing pharmaceutical industry as a promising destination for foreign investment, with Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal inviting international companies—particularly Chinese firms—to explore business opportunities in the country’s healthcare and biotechnology sectors. The invitation arrived during the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Conference on Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, and Biotechnology, held in Islamabad.

The minister said Pakistan’s strategic geographic location, expanding healthcare market, and investment-friendly environment make it an attractive hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports. He stressed that the pharmaceutical industry remains a national priority because of its direct impact on public health and economic development.

Kamal noted that investment in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector would not only serve the domestic market but also provide companies with access to regional and international markets. He also expressed confidence that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) is on track to achieve the World Health Organization’s Maturity Level 3 (ML3) accreditation by April next year after meeting key regulatory benchmarks.

The conference followed the signing of nine agreements worth more than $440 million between Pakistani and Chinese pharmaceutical companies, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in manufacturing, technology transfer, research, and healthcare innovation. Government officials believe these partnerships will help boost local production, attract foreign direct investment, and position Pakistan as a regional centre for pharmaceutical exports.