VIENTIANE: A delegation of Pakistani pharmaceutical company representatives and their Lao counterparts met in Vientiane last week at a business-to-business session, aiming to boost cooperation in the industry.

The session allowed both sides to have face-to-face discussions and decide how their businesses might build useful trade links.

Secretary Geeral of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Khanthavong Dalavong, chaired the discussion, which was attended by Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Pakistan to Laos, Aizaz Khan, and other officials.

“This is a small platform for Lao and Pakistani businesspeople to meet and discuss the possibility of trade partnerships, especially with regard to deals in the field of pharmaceuticals,” Khanthavong told Vientiane Times.

He said the possibility for cooperation between Pakistani and Lao businesses already exists, but is mainly on a small scale.

“Pakistan has high potential thanks to its plentiful raw materials and a long history of traditional medicine, so there are good opportunities for both sides to cooperate in this field,” he added.

Business cooperation would not only involve importing pharmaceutical products, but also cooperation in the supply of raw materials.

“Cooperation also means establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing companies or any other possibilities that may arise following on from our discussions,” Khanthavong said.

He noted that Laos was a small market so it was essential to search for diversified sources.

“Today we also discussed how we might reduce the number of middle-men involved in pharmaceutical trade, as this will enable customers to have access to cheaper and better quality,” he added.

– By arrangement with ANN/Vientiane Times –