Egypt's Health Minister engages in World Economic Forum initiative to boost local manufacturing

CAIRO - 20 September 2023: Egypt's Health Minister, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, recently took part in a pivotal meeting of the World Economic Forum's initiative aimed at bolstering local manufacturing. The gathering took place in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prominent attendees included Indonesia's Health Minister, Dr. Budi Gunadi Sadikin, representatives from the World Health Organization, the GAVI vaccine alliance, senior officials from the World Bank, the African Finance Bank, the Asian Finance Bank, and the Chairman of the CBEI Group.

The forum addressed challenges faced by nations in establishing a robust pharmaceutical and vaccine industry and discussed cooperative mechanisms between countries in areas of research, development, and technology transfer.

Egypt's Potential in the Pharma Sector:

Abdel Ghaffar showcased the capabilities of Egypt in terms of infrastructure, road networks, human and research capacities, which position the nation as a potential regional hub for the manufacturing of vaccines and medical diagnostic tools.

Egypt's vast human resources and logistic potentials further strengthen this proposition.

Overcoming Challenges and Ensuring Equitable Distribution:

During his address, Abdel Ghaffar touched upon strategies to overcome hindrances faced by countries and emphasized collaboration between relevant entities to ensure the safety and security of supply chains.

This is vital to meet the nations' needs and ensure fairness in the distribution of vaccines, medical equipment, and all pharmaceutical products.

Successful Collaborations and Future Endeavors:

The Health Minister shed light on Egypt's successful experiences in collaborating with leading countries in vaccine manufacturing, technology transfer, and secure storage.

This not only aims for self-sufficiency but also seeks to open export markets and help meet the requirements of other countries.Dr. Abdel Ghaffar highlighted fruitful collaborations between public and private sectors, emphasizing the Ministry of Health and Population's support for partnerships between local and global private sectors. The ultimate goal? Maximizing benefits for Egyptian citizens and their counterparts in other nations.