KAZAKHSTAN AND BELGIUM ARE INCREASING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE

On March 11-13, medical and pharmaceutical organizations of Kazakhstan visited Belgium on a working visit. The Kazakh delegation included representatives of QazBioPharm JSC, the National Center for Expertise of Medicines and Medical Devices, Astana Medical University NJSC and the Unified Distributor SK-Pharmaceuticals

          Belgium is a major political and trading partner of Kazakhstan in the European Union and an important source of investment and new technologies.

The official visit will include a number of meetings and visits to leading Belgian pharmaceutical enterprises to increase bilateral cooperation, exchange experience and discuss the possibility of localizing production in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

          First of all, a meeting was held with the Materialize company, during which the delegation visited the production site. The company specializes in software for preparing three-dimensional medical models based on CT and MRI images and the subsequent production of models on a 3D printer, including medical devices.

          The Materialize company has expressed interest in supplying its software to Kazakhstan. Moreover, it has already managed to provide the Medical University in Karaganda and Nazarbayev University in Astana with its products.

Along with this, a visit to the enterprise of the medical technology company IBA (ION Beam Applications) was organized. Cyclotrons and integrated proton therapy centers are developed here, and the company is active in the fields of proton therapy, dosimetry, radiopharmaceutical solutions and industrial sterilization. Several cyclotrons manufactured by IBA operate successfully in Kazakhstan.

The Kazakh side also got acquainted with the work of Terumo Europe NV, which is a key player in the healthcare market in the EMEA region. A wide range of products for angiography, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery, transfusiology, patient monitoring systems and laboratory products meet all standards. During the meeting, the parties considered the possibility of localizing production on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

A separate meeting was held with the management of the global biopharmaceutical company GSK Belgium, which produces innovative vaccines and special medicines for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The enterprise's research and development is focused on four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, oncology and immunology.

Then the delegation met with representatives of Univercells, Quantoom Biosciences, and Unizima. Unizima is part of Univercells, a global life sciences company that enables and expands the biotechnology industry by bringing biologics to everyone.

          The final meeting was with the leadership of the National Institute of Public Health Sciensano. The main area of work is scientific research in the areas of public health. The company continuously monitors health and disease and assesses the quality of the Belgian healthcare system.

During a conversation with Belgian companies, Managing Director Nurzhan Kansultan spoke about the functions and main areas of work of the Unified Distributor. European countries occupy a leading position in the share of drug purchases. The Unified Distributor, in turn, takes an active position in the entry of European pharmaceutical companies into the Kazakh market.

To support and develop the domestic pharmaceutical and medical industry, the Unified Distributor is taking the initiative to provide a platform for large brands to enter the country from packaging to the full production cycle.

          The driver of the working visit to Belgium was participation in a round table on investment and trade opportunities in Kazakhstan with an emphasis on healthcare, logistics, construction and mining.

The event was held with the participation of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Brussels, the Ambassador of Belgium in Kazakhstan, the head of the BECI Chamber of Commerce, the General Director of the BeNiLux Chamber, an independent partner of Kazakh Invest NC JSC, a representative of QazBioPharm and Batys Plywood Manufacturing Company.

          During the round table, the possibilities of promoting the domestic pharmaceutical industry in the direction of technology transfer and increasing investment attractiveness, issues of expanding the presence of Belgian companies in the market of the Republic of Kazakhstan, further development of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Belgium and Kazakhstan, creation of new opportunities for business interaction in various sectors of the economy were considered.

            Next came the opportunity to conduct B2B meetings and networking sessions. Thus, the Kazakh side discussed the prospects for cooperation with such companies as Mediccleanair, Artec 3d, Hyloris, Bellavie and Ceres Pharma. Belgian farm players expressed interest in partnership and localization of production in Kazakhstan.

In conclusion, the round table participants were introduced to a guide for potential investors - the Investment Guide Book, prepared jointly with Kazakh Invest for the convenience of potential investors.

Diplomatic relations between Belgium and Kazakhstan were established back in 1992. Since that moment, active political, interparliamentary, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation has been ongoing. And now the parties intend to increase cooperation in the field of medical and pharmaceutical industries.

The Unified Distributor takes an active position in the development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Belgium, initiating a number of bilateral meetings to consider ways of partnership.

For example, in 2023, a webinar was held at the Unified Distributor site to attract investments from the European Union countries into the pharmaceutical industry and the production of medical equipment in Kazakhstan, organized jointly with the BeniLux Chamber of Commerce.

As a result of the work at the first meeting of the Belgium-Kazakhstan Business Council in Kazakhstan, the BeNiLux Chamber of Commerce and the Unified Distributor entered into a memorandum of understanding and cooperation, outlining clear common prospects in joint interaction.

Thus, an agreement was reached to discuss and implement joint initiatives to import substitution and increase the share of domestically produced drugs in the domestic market to 50%, to localize the production of patented drugs on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and to localize the production of advanced medical equipment.

As part of the document, the parties intend to exchange experience and information about the relevant markets of the Republic of Kazakhstan and BeniLux countries, including industry analysis, market trends and changes in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan; improve interaction between member companies of the Chamber and the Unified Distributor by identifying potential partners and opportunities for cooperation.

In addition, cooperation in the field of research and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare is envisaged between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the BeNiLux countries. A working group is planned to be created.

Localization of production of the world's European giants of domestic production will allow the implementation of industrial and innovative strategic programs of the sectors of the economy of Kazakhstan and will give impetus to the development of the competitiveness and potential of the country's medical and pharmaceutical industry.