China investment in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector could receive a major boost as agreements worth around $100 million are expected to be signed during the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, Kamal described the conference as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.

He said the event covers all six segments of the pharmaceutical sector and has brought together 170 Chinese and Pakistani delegations representing different areas of the industry.

Kamal said the initiative supports Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader vision of expanding Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports and strengthening access to international markets.

Addressing a separate business session, the minister said Pakistan now offers a more attractive investment climate, highlighting reforms aimed at simplifying business registration.

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He said investors can now register businesses within 20 days, with the entire process available online, eliminating the need to visit government offices.

Kamal added that the government has removed many administrative hurdles and streamlined departmental procedures to encourage foreign investment.

He urged Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan, saying stronger cooperation could accelerate the development of the country’s health sector, particularly as domestic production of medical equipment continues to expand.

The minister said Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and other stakeholders coordinated closely over the past six weeks to prepare for the conference.

He also praised Haroon Akhtar Khan for leading extensive consultations and credited the Ministry of Health, DRAP and other institutions for organising the event.

Kamal thanked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for translating conference materials into Chinese, saying the effort helped improve communication with participating delegations.

He described the conference as a landmark opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry to international investors.

According to Kamal, greater Pakistan-China cooperation could promote technology transfer, expand pharmaceutical exports, create employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s healthcare manufacturing sector.

He expressed confidence that the conference would open a new chapter in pharmaceutical cooperation between Pakistan and China.