Pak-Turkiye exports to be increased, says minister

LAHORE:Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the government is trying to increase the exports between Pakistan and Turkiye by more than $2 million. Full support would be obtained from Turkish pharmaceutical companies for the production of stem cells, biological products, insulin, heparin and other drugs and raw materials.

The minister expressed these views while addressing a meeting of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association and Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association held here in the office of DG Health Services Punjab regarding Pak-Medica Exhibition. It is hoped that the next Pak-Medica exhibition will be held in February 2025.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired the meeting directly through a video link conference from Export Promotion Bureau of Turkiye. DG Drugs Dr Sohail, Director CDC Dr Yadullah, President Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association Khalid Misbahur Rahman, former Chairman PPMA Mansoor Ahmed, Dr Shaban Nadeem and other representatives participated in the meeting. Mr Kemal Shaheen, CEO of Pak-Turkiye Expo, Ms Bettal, officials of Pharma Medical Association and others participated in the meeting. All officials of Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association participated in the meeting. Officials of Turkiye's Export Promotion Bureau presented a commemorative shield to Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and thanked him for his arrival. During the meeting, discussions were held regarding the Pak-Medica Exhibition to be held in Pakistan and the promotion of bilateral trade. Khawaja Salman Rafique, while expressing his views during the meeting, said that the Punjab government had signed an MoU with Turkish pharmaceutical companies regarding Pak-Medica exhibition since 2016. In 2017, under the leadership of then Chief Minister Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, he himself organised the first Pak-Medica Exhibition. Excellent and professional relations are established between pharmaceutical companies of Pakistan and Turkiye through Pak-Medica exhibition. We are trying to increase the exports between Pakistan and Turkiye by more than $2 million.

DG Drugs Punjab has been directed to formulate proposals during the next week to increase exports between Pakistan and Turkiye. Full support will be obtained from Turkish pharmaceutical companies for the production of stem cells, biological products, insulin, heparin and other drugs and raw materials.