First Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Medical Business Forum

The first Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Medical Business Forum, held in Almaty from October 27 to November 2, 2026, opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, laying the foundation for large-scale B2B partnerships in the fields of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, and medical tourism.

The strategic roadmaps being implemented in Kazakhstan - ranging from the development of nuclear medicine and cardiology to the digitalization and demonopolization of the pharmaceutical market - are setting high industry quality standards. These government initiatives have established a solid platform for the transfer of advanced technologies, the export of high-quality medical services, and long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The event is organized by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan in collaboration with relevant pharmaceutical and medical associations, the Foreign Trade Chamber of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Afghanistan, the Trade House of Kazakhstan in Afghanistan, the Almaty city Akimat, and the "QazTrade" Center for Trade Policy Development JSC.

The Kazakhstan delegation was led by Timur Muratov, Vice Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while the Afghan delegation was headed by Mawlawi Hamdullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Public Health for Food and Drugs. The forum was also attended by representatives from government agencies, medical clinics, and the business community, including 26 Afghan companies.

During the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Medical Business Forum, a major distribution contract was signed between the Kazakhstani company NPO Kazpharmacom LLP and the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Innovation Technology Exchange Center (KAITEC). The agreement provides for the monthly supply of veterinary drugs, vaccines, and specialized equipment to Afghanistan, totaling 1.05 million US dollars (12.6 million US dollars annually).

The Afghan side has expressed its readiness to place orders in Kazakhstan for the contract manufacturing of over 50 types of medicinal products; the delegation toured the facilities of leading Kazakhstani enterprises, including Nobel, Juldyz Kenan, Abdi Ibrahim Global, Kelun-Kazpharm, and Medservice Plus.

In addition, important negotiations took place with Polpharma Santo; the company’s manufacturing operations are fully compliant with the European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) standard.

The parties discussed equipping medical facilities in Afghanistan with high-tech equipment, as well as the implementation of "Barracuda QalQan" modular units - developed by Kazakhstan’s EvrazEx LLP - for the rapid deployment of field hospitals in emergency zones.

A practical mechanism is being developed to refer Afghan patients to clinics in Kazakhstan for high-tech medical care in the fields of oncology, cardiosurgery, and neurosurgery. The initiative’s partners are city Polyclinic No. 3 of Almaty (the Qazaq Med Travel project) and the tour operator Aq Zhol Tour.

Strategic Memoranda: Afghan delegates held discussions involving state-owned enterprises, specifically between SK-Pharmacy LLP and the Afghan firm Ibn Sina; they also explored cooperation with manufacturers Dolce Pharma and Inkar Pharmacy, and signed memoranda of understanding with the companies Zhuldyz Kenan and BO-NA LLP.

Following the meetings, promising areas for future cooperation were identified, including the expansion of exports of Kazakhstani pharmaceutical products, the development of partnerships between medical institutions, the introduction of modern medical technologies, and the implementation of joint projects in the field of medical tourism.

The Chamber of Foreign Trade of Kazakhstan and the Trade House of Kazakhstan in Afghanistan will continue their work to follow up on the agreements reached, establish direct contacts between enterprises of the two countries, and facilitate the implementation of specific commercial projects.