Positioning Uzbekistan as a leading pharmaceutical gateway to Eurasia
Exclusive interview with Abdulla Azizov, First Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, in the context of Pharma Eurasia 2026, held at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“Uzbekistan offers investors access to a pharmaceutical market of more than USD 68 billion across Central Asia and the CIS. With 93% of Central Asia’s pharmaceutical demand currently met through imports, significant opportunities exist for localization, contract manufacturing, technology transfer, and export-oriented production. Through initiatives such as Bio Pharma City and Pharma Eurasia, we are building a modern pharmaceutical ecosystem aligned with international standards, including EU GMP, and positioning Uzbekistan as a leading pharmaceutical gateway to Eurasia.”
Q. How does Pharma Eurasia align with Uzbekistan’s national pharmaceutical development strategy?
Pharma Eurasia is fully aligned with Uzbekistan’s long-term strategy to transform the country into a leading pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing hub for Central Asia and the CIS region. The Government of Uzbekistan has prioritized pharmaceutical localization, technology transfer, innovation, export growth, and the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities. The exhibition serves as a practical platform to attract investment, strengthen international partnerships, showcase reforms, and accelerate the implementation of strategic projects that contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector.
Q. In what ways does the event position Uzbekistan as a gateway to the CIS pharmaceutical market?
Uzbekistan is uniquely positioned as a gateway to both the CIS and broader Central Asian pharmaceutical markets. Through its strategic geographic location, growing industrial infrastructure, and expanding regulatory framework, Uzbekistan provides investors and manufacturers with access to the CIS pharmaceutical market, valued at approximately USD 57 billion, as well as the Central Asian market, valued at more than USD 11 billion. Importantly, around 93% of pharmaceutical products consumed in Central Asia are imported, creating substantial opportunities for local manufacturing, localization, and regional distribution. Pharma Eurasia serves as a platform to connect international companies with these high-growth markets through Uzbekistan.
Q. What opportunities does Pharma Eurasia offer to global pharmaceutical companies looking to enter Central Asian and CIS markets?
Pharma Eurasia offers global pharmaceutical companies direct access to some of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in Eurasia. Companies can explore opportunities in localization, contract manufacturing, technology transfer, distribution partnerships, and investment projects. Uzbekistan is actively encouraging foreign manufacturers to establish production facilities and contract manufacturing partnerships that can serve both domestic demand and regional export markets. Through a single investment destination, companies can gain access to a combined market exceeding USD 68 billion across the CIS and Central Asia.
Q. How significant is Uzbekistan’s geographic location in shaping its role as a pharmaceutical hub?
Uzbekistan’s location at the heart of Central Asia makes it a natural logistics and manufacturing hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the CIS region. From Uzbekistan, pharmaceutical manufacturers can efficiently access neighboring Central Asian countries and the wider CIS market. Combined with a growing transportation network, favorable investment policies, and increasing industrial capacity, this geographic advantage strengthens Uzbekistan’s position as a regional pharmaceutical production and export platform.
Q. What impact is the event expected to have on regional pharmaceutical trade and collaboration?
We expect Pharma Eurasia to significantly strengthen regional cooperation by bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and international organizations. The event will facilitate new investment projects, joint ventures, technology transfer agreements, and research collaborations. In the longer term, these partnerships will contribute to improved access to medicines, enhanced manufacturing capacity, and greater integration of regional pharmaceutical supply chains.
Q. How will the Hosted Buyer Programme facilitate meaningful business partnerships?
The Hosted Buyer Programme is designed to create targeted and results-oriented interactions between suppliers and decision-makers. By carefully matching international exhibitors with qualified buyers, distributors, procurement organizations, investors, and healthcare institutions, the programme maximizes the potential for productive discussions and concrete business outcomes. This structured approach ensures that participants can establish meaningful partnerships and explore opportunities for long-term cooperation.
Q. What are the key objectives of the Regulators’ Conclave at the event?
The Regulators’ Conclave aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among regulatory authorities across the region and beyond. Key objectives include exchanging best practices, discussing regulatory harmonization, enhancing cooperation on quality standards, and sharing experiences related to pharmaceutical oversight. The conclave will also support discussions on GMP, pharmacovigilance, market authorization procedures, and other regulatory topics that are essential for facilitating international trade and ensuring patient safety.
Q. How does the Market Entry Assistance Programme support companies in navigating CIS regulatory frameworks?
The programme provides companies with practical guidance on regulatory requirements, registration procedures, market access pathways, and compliance obligations across CIS countries. By connecting participants with regulators, industry experts, and local partners, the initiative helps reduce market-entry barriers and accelerates the process of establishing a commercial presence in the region. The objective is to provide companies with the knowledge and support necessary to make informed investment and expansion decisions.
Q. Why is understanding GxP standards critical for companies entering these markets?
GxP compliance is essential for ensuring product quality, patient safety, and international competitiveness. Uzbekistan is actively promoting the implementation of internationally recognized standards, particularly EU GMP requirements, as part of its pharmaceutical modernization strategy. Several Uzbek pharmaceutical manufacturers have successfully obtained EU GMP certification, while others are currently undergoing certification processes. This commitment to international quality standards enhances trust among global partners and creates favorable conditions for export-oriented manufacturing and contract production.
Q. What role does Tashkent Pharma Park play in Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical ambitions?
Tashkent Pharma Park, which is evolving into Bio Pharma City, is the flagship project supporting Uzbekistan’s vision of becoming a regional pharmaceutical hub. The cluster provides integrated infrastructure for research, education, clinical studies, manufacturing, and innovation. It is specifically designed to attract foreign direct investment, advanced technologies, and contract manufacturing projects that can serve the domestic market as well as Central Asia and the CIS region. The project offers investors access to a strategically located manufacturing base with strong government support and growing regional market opportunities.
Q. How is Uzbekistan working to build a self-sufficient and innovation-driven pharmaceutical ecosystem?
Uzbekistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy focused on localization, innovation, international quality standards, and investment attraction. The Government actively supports technology transfer, contract manufacturing, workforce development, and the adoption of international regulatory standards, including EU GMP. Significant efforts are being made to reduce import dependence while simultaneously developing export-oriented manufacturing capabilities. By strengthening domestic production and attracting global pharmaceutical partners, Uzbekistan aims to become a leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology center serving Central Asia, the CIS, and beyond.
Q. How can Pharma Eurasia 2026 contribute to long-term technology transfer and investment in the region?
Pharma Eurasia creates an environment where investors, technology providers, manufacturers, and government stakeholders can engage directly and explore opportunities for collaboration. Through discussions on joint ventures, contract manufacturing, research partnerships, and localization projects, the event facilitates the transfer of knowledge, technologies, and best practices. Over time, these partnerships can strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities, improve healthcare outcomes, and position Uzbekistan as a key destination for pharmaceutical investment and innovation in Eurasia.