Latest news with #TouqeerulHaq
Arab News
15-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan launches new pharma export council to boost overseas sales
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has this month established a new Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (PharmEx Pakistan) in a bid to expand exports and enhance the global competitiveness of its drug manufacturers, the country's commerce minister said. Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry, valued at about $4 billion domestically, has recorded steady growth in exports in recent years but remains a relatively small player globally. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan announced the formation of the new council under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) while addressing a gathering organized by the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) earlier this month. 'The pharmaceutical sector has huge export potential, and PharmEx Pakistan is just one or two steps away from becoming operational,' Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Pakistan Television, adding that the government would continue to facilitate the industry in achieving higher international sales. At the event, PPMA Chairman Touqeer ul Haq said the new council would work as a public-private initiative to strengthen compliance with international standards, improve market access, and showcase Pakistani products abroad. Haq identified Afghanistan as a critical export destination and welcomed minister Khan's assurance of better coordination to keep cross-border trade smooth. In addition to the new council, the government will also set up an Exporter Facilitation Desk at the ministry of commerce to resolve urgent problems faced by pharma exporters and ensure direct support when needed, minister Khan said. The setting up of PharmEx is part of Islamabad's broader push to diversify exports beyond traditional sectors such as textiles, rice and sports goods, amid persistent current account pressures and the need to earn more foreign exchange. According to PPMA data, pharmaceutical exports increased from $270 million in 2020–21 to about $355 million in the current fiscal year 2024–25, and industry leaders say the country has the potential to reach $3 billion in annual exports if regulatory hurdles and market access barriers are addressed. Pakistan produces over 90 percent of its medicines locally, supplying a large portion of the country's health care needs and serving niche markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia and parts of Africa and the Middle East. The industry, however, faces challenges such as high input costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and tough global competition.
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Commerce minister says committed to boosting pharma exports
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan reaffirmed his commitment to boosting pharmaceutical exports, announcing the establishment of an empowered Pharma Export Promotion Council, PharmEx Pakistan, under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). 'The pharmaceutical sector has huge export potential, and PharmEx Pakistan is just one or two steps away from becoming operational,' said the minister. He appreciated the industry's rapid progress and assured continued government facilitation to achieve global export targets. On trade with Afghanistan, he stated, 'With every passing day, our relations are growing stronger and more streamlined — pharmaceutical exports will rise accordingly.' The minister's remarks came during a presentation by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) Chairman Touqeerul Haq, who briefed him on the formation of PharmEx Pakistan, a public-private initiative to promote and manage pharmaceutical exports. Chairman Touqeerul Haq praised the minister's prompt action in addressing critical issues, stating it helped the industry avoid major financial losses. He added that PharmEx Pakistan has the potential to raise pharmaceutical exports from $700 million to $3 billion. The initiative builds on strong sectoral growth, with exports rising from USD 270 million in 2020–21 to $355 million in 2024–25, as noted in the latest industry figures. Touqeerul Haq also called for better facilitation of exports to Afghanistan, a key market, and welcomed the minister's assurance of focused policy coordination. PharmEx Pakistan is expected to serve as a dedicated platform to enhance regulatory compliance, market access, and international outreach for Pakistani pharmaceutical products. The Minister assured the association of the Ministry's commitment to resolve the issues faced by the exporters and announced the establishment of a dedicated Exporter Facilitation Desk in the Ministry to help the export industry with critical matters requiring urgent intervention of the government. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Jam Kamal unveils new pharma export council
Listen to article Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has reaffirmed the government's resolve to boost pharmaceutical exports, announcing the near-operational launch of PharmEx Pakistan — a new Pharma Export Promotion Council — under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). "The pharmaceutical sector has huge export potential, and PharmEx Pakistan is just one or two steps away from becoming operational," the minister said on Wednesday, while praising the industry's rapid growth. He assured continued government support to help the sector meet international export targets. Speaking during a presentation by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) Chairman Touqeerul Haq, the commerce minister also expressed optimism about trade with Afghanistan, noting that "with every passing day, our relations are growing stronger and more streamlined — pharmaceutical exports will rise accordingly." Haq briefed the commerce minister on PharmEx Pakistan, a new public-private initiative designed to manage and promote pharmaceutical exports. He credited the minister's swift action on urgent issues for preventing significant financial losses in the sector and projected that PharmEx Pakistan could help raise exports from $700 million to $3 billion. The push builds on steady sectoral growth. According to industry figures, pharmaceutical exports climbed from $270 million in 2020-21 to $355 million in 2024-25. PharmEx Pakistan is expected to improve regulatory compliance, expand international market access, and enhance global visibility for Pakistani pharmaceutical products. To further aid exporters, the commerce minister announced a dedicated Exporter Facilitation Desk within the ministry to address time-sensitive matters requiring direct government intervention. Separately, the federal minister for national health services met with a PPMA delegation to discuss critical sector issues, including amendments to drug rules, local production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and enhanced bilateral trade with Afghanistan. He stressed the importance of fostering the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and reiterated the strategic importance of domestic API production. The minister directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to develop a concept note on establishing a Naphtha Cracker facility, a key step toward self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical raw materials. To ensure drug quality, the health minister also announced a new trace and track system using barcodes for medicine verification via mobile phones.
Business Recorder
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt vows full support for pharma sector, announces export issues desk
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Wednesday reaffirmed the government commitment to boosting pharmaceutical exports, announcing the establishment of an empowered Pharma Export Promotion Council, PharmEx Pakistan, under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, according to a ministry statement. The minister's remarks came during a presentation by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) Chairman Touqeer ul Haq, who briefed him on the formation of Pharmax Pakistan, a public-private initiative to promote and manage pharmaceutical exports, the Commerce Ministry said. 'The pharmaceutical sector has huge export potential, and PharmEx Pakistan is just one or two steps away from becoming operational,' the minister said. He appreciated the industry's rapid progress and assured continued government facilitation to achieve global export targets. Centralised fund: pharma sector urges govt to let it utilise 1% of profit on in-house R&D activities On trade with Afghanistan, he stated, 'With every passing day, our relations are growing stronger and more streamlined – pharmaceutical exports will rise accordingly.' Chairman Touqeer ul Haq praised the minister's prompt action in addressing critical issues, stating it helped the industry avoid major financial losses. He added that Pharmax Pakistan has the potential to raise pharmaceutical exports from USD 700 million to USD 3 billion. The initiative builds on strong sectoral growth, with exports rising from USD 270 million in 2020–21 to USD 355 million in 2024–25, as noted in the latest industry figures. Pharma bodies decry being ignored by SCQB Touqeer ul Haq also called for better facilitation of exports to Afghanistan, a key market, and welcomed the minister's assurance of focused policy coordination. Pharmax Pakistan is expected to serve as a dedicated platform to enhance regulatory compliance, market access, and international outreach for Pakistani pharmaceutical products. The minister assured the association of the Ministry's commitment to resolve the issues faced by the exporters and announced the establishment of a dedicated Exporter Facilitation Desk in the Ministry to help the export industry with critical matters requiring urgent intervention of the Government.
Business Recorder
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Jam Kamal Khan vows full support for pharma sector, announces export issues desk
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan in Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to boosting pharmaceutical exports, announcing the establishment of an empowered Pharma Export Promotion Council, PharmEx Pakistan, under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. The minister's remarks came during a presentation by Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association (PPMA) Chairman Touqeer ul Haq, who briefed him on the formation of Pharmax Pakistan, a public-private initiative to promote and manage pharmaceutical exports, the Commerce Ministry said. 'The pharmaceutical sector has huge export potential, and PharmEx Pakistan is just one or two steps away from becoming operational,' the minister said. He appreciated the industry's rapid progress and assured continued government facilitation to achieve global export targets. Centralised fund: pharma sector urges govt to let it utilise 1% of profit on in-house R&D activities On trade with Afghanistan, he stated, 'With every passing day, our relations are growing stronger and more streamlined – pharmaceutical exports will rise accordingly.' Chairman Touqeer ul Haq praised the minister's prompt action in addressing critical issues, stating it helped the industry avoid major financial losses. He added that Pharmax Pakistan has the potential to raise pharmaceutical exports from USD 700 million to USD 3 billion. The initiative builds on strong sectoral growth, with exports rising from USD 270 million in 2020–21 to USD 355 million in 2024–25, as noted in the latest industry figures. Pharma bodies decry being ignored by SCQB Touqeer ul Haq also called for better facilitation of exports to Afghanistan, a key market, and welcomed the minister's assurance of focused policy coordination. Pharmax Pakistan is expected to serve as a dedicated platform to enhance regulatory compliance, market access, and international outreach for Pakistani pharmaceutical products. The minister assured the association of the Ministry's commitment to resolve the issues faced by the exporters and announced the establishment of a dedicated Exporter Facilitation Desk in the Ministry to help the export industry with critical matters requiring urgent intervention of the Government.
