Indian companies have expressed interest in cooperating with Afghan businesses in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as in logistics, transportation and manufacturing, Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment said following meetings in New Delhi.
In a statement, the chamber said representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) told an Afghan business delegation that Indian investors were prepared to explore partnerships with Afghan companies and investors in several sectors, including pharmaceutical production.
The discussions took place during a visit by the Afghan delegation to India and focused on expanding economic ties, promoting joint investment, facilitating technology transfer and increasing private-sector cooperation between the two countries, the chamber said.
According to the statement, the Indian side also confirmed plans to send a 20-member business delegation to Afghanistan to assess investment opportunities.
The chamber said Afghan representatives highlighted opportunities in agriculture, mining, carpets, precious stones, saffron, dried fruits and construction materials, while encouraging Indian companies to explore investment prospects in the country.
The reported interest in pharmaceutical cooperation comes as Afghanistan seeks to strengthen domestic medicine production amid disruptions to regional trade and growing concerns over access to imported drugs.
This comes as Taliban have banned pharmaceutical products from Pakistan earlier this year after rise of tensions with Islamabad.
India’s chamber of commerce has not publicly commented on the meeting.
