Ashraf AboArafe
Ambassador Suresh Reddy met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health & Population Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar on 25th August at the Egyptian Cabinet in Alamein. The meeting built upon the Strategic Partnership signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in June 2023, with both sides focusing on strengthening cooperation in the health and pharmaceuticals sector and on harnessing technology to expand access to healthcare services for all.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized Egypt’s role as a Gateway to Africa for the supply of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, citing its skilled youth, modern infrastructure, and attractive investment landscape. Ambassador Reddy agreed, noting that Egypt is well-positioned to attract further Indian investments, and affirmed India’s readiness to encourage its companies to explore opportunities in Egypt.
He highlighted the ongoing technology transfer partnerships between Indian and Egyptian vaccine manufacturers, and welcomed prospective Indian investments in oncology and medical devices in Egypt.
India is one of the key suppliers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to Egypt, strengthening local vaccine production. Globally, India is the largest provider of generic medicines, accounting for nearly 20% of global exports by volume, and producing around 60% of the world’s vaccines. Major Indian firms such as the Serum Institute of India, Biological-E, and Zydus have already signed technology transfer agreements with Egyptian partners. India’s pharmaceutical exports exceeded USD 30 billion in FY 2024–25.
With a robust manufacturing base of over 3,000 pharma companies and 10,500 production units, along with the highest number of US FDA-approved plants outside the United States, India’s pharmaceutical sector is backed by a vast talent pool of more than 500,000 scientists, chemists, and regulatory experts, ensuring affordable and high-quality medicines.
India’s growing presence in oncology, rare diseases, and biosimilars underscores its pivotal role in global healthcare. Both sides expressed their commitment to intensifying cooperation and advancing vaccine and pharmaceutical localisation in Egypt, laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
