Pharma market access tops Pak-Ethiopia talks

According to The Express Tribune, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan urged faster regulatory clearances for Pakistani drugmakers aiming to enter Ethiopia. The call came during a meeting in Islamabad with Ethiopian Ambassador Dr Oumer Hussein Oba, where the two sides explored wider trade, investment and economic ties.

Khan pointed to the growth of Pakistan's pharmaceutical sector and its interest in shipping more goods to African markets. He said prompt approvals and clear procedures were necessary to give exporters confidence. The ambassador told the minister he had raised stalled drug registration matters with Ethiopian health officials and had been given encouraging assurances of quick action.

The discussion also covered Ethiopia's ongoing accession to the World Trade Organisation, where Khan stressed that market access had to work in both directions. Both sides further discussed a planned visa waiver covering those with diplomatic or official passports.