MAZAR-I-SHARIF, November 13. /Dunyo IA/. B2B business negotiations between representatives of pharmaceutical companies of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were held in the Afghan province of Balkh, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Uzbek delegation comprised representatives of domestic exporting companies headed by Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency Zafar Kasimov.

During the meeting, Head of the delegation recalled that following the April visit of the agency's representatives to Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding and trade contracts totaling $39 million.

He noted that the Uzbek side is taking measures to fulfill the agreements and is interested in supplying high-quality medicines to Afghanistan at competitive prices.

In addition to exporting pharmaceuticals, the representatives of Uzbekistan proposed organizing an exchange of experience with Afghan specialists, conducting training sessions and advanced training courses for them, as well as considering the possibility of opening branches of domestic pharmaceutical enterprises in Balkh province. These initiatives aroused the interest of the Afghan side.

Chairman of the Balkh Province Association of Wholesale Trade in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services Mohammad Sadiq Mohammadi and Nasir Ahmad Niazi, Deputy Director of the Balkh Department of Industry and Commerce Department noted the prospects for further developing bilateral interaction in the pharmaceutical industry.

Afghan side also underscored its interest in importing high-quality products manufactured in Uzbekistan and called upon Uzbek entrepreneurs to invest in the economy of Balkh province, presenting information on the conditions and incentives currently in place for investors.

Following the B2B negotiations, parties reached a number of agreements on further cooperation.

Uzbek delegation also participated in the “Afghanistan Health Exhibition” in Kabul, held training events and visited the city of Kandahar to discuss and sign new contracts in the pharmaceutical sector.