JORDAN – The Arab Union of Producers of Medicines and Medical Appliances (AUPAM) has expanded its collaboration agreement with the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) to enhance medical security.

The main objective of the renewed agreement is to boost cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry and improve the bridges between the Arab region and Bangladesh.

As part of this new deal, Bangladesh will assist AUPAM with the technology required to establish manufacturing facilities while the Arab organization will help the South Asian nation export pharmaceutical goods to the Gulf region.

This deal comes as many countries struggled to acquire coronavirus vaccines and import the vast majority of their medicines and medical equipment, leaving them at the mercy of overseas supplies.

One of the most technologically advanced industries in Bangladesh, the pharmaceutical industry has transformed itself from an import-dependent industry in the 1980s to a self-sufficient one serving the global market.

The capacity and expertise of the pharmaceutical industry was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic where the industry quickly adapted to the unprecedented challenges.

In an official note, Abdulnaser Sijari, President of the AUPAM, stated: “The new agreement will help create multi-faceted cooperation between both associations and set forth a roadmap to enable improved trade in the pharmaceutical sector.”

Headquartered in Amman, the AUPAM is one of the joint Arab action organizations operating under the umbrella of the Council of Arab Economic Unity.

Its membership is made up of pharmaceutical institutions from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan.

Overall, AUPAM has extended its pact with the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries to promote balanced development of their respective pharmaceutical sectors.

The renewed agreement is anticipated to bring the emerging pharmaceutical industries of the Arab region and Bangladesh closer.

It is set to strengthen pharmaceutical cooperation and encourage trade between AUPAM member countries and Bangladesh.

With the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical industry among the country’s major growing sectors, officials have been trying to explore the sector’s possibilities in the Gulf region.

BAPI and AUPAM officials also agreed to facilitate more platforms for the sharing of knowledge and the trade of pharmaceuticals.

The agreement was presided over by Abdulnaser Sijari, President of the Arab Union of Producers of Medicines and Medical Appliances, and Mohammad Halimuzzaman, Treasurer of BAPI, on behalf of the re-elected president of BAPI, Nazmul Hassan Papon.

It was signed in the presence of respective representatives of AUPAM and BAPI, alongside high-level embassy personnel at a solemn ceremony held at the Bangladeshi embassy in Amman, Jordan.

After agreeing to this deal with the AUPAM, the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries is exploring new opportunities to work with Gulf nations in the coming months.

Commenting on the importance of multi-faceted cooperation, Mohammad Halimuzzaman, Treasurer of BAPI, said: “The new agreement takes us a step forward in the growth of the pharmaceutical sector in both the Arab region and Bangladesh.”

Mohammad Halimuzzaman advised AUPAM leaders to speed up the regulatory approval processes for the export of pharmaceutical products to the Gulf nations, adding that Bangladeshi partners seek to develop industrial facilities in the region.

Moreover, the new partnership agreement aligns with the role of BAPI as the apex body representing Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical companies.

BAPI is tasked with developing the pharmaceutical sector in the country to promote access to affordable drugs.

Associations’ members include large, medium, small national, and foreign companies who together are responsible for 97% of the country’s pharmaceutical requirements.

Closely working with the industry and regulatory authorities, the association promotes an understanding of good manufacturing practices (GMP), and rightful implementation to ensure the highest quality of the medicines.

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