Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers addresses a query regarding Indian pharmaceutical exports to Kuwait, highlighting the untapped potential due to Kuwait's limited manufacturing capacity. A market study commissioned by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait suggests opportunities for Indian firms. Steps are being taken to enhance exports, including virtual conferences, business-to-business meetings, and engagement with Kuwaiti stakeholders.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Kuwait's Pharmaceutical Market:**
* Kuwait lacks significant pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, with only one local manufacturer.
* A market study indicates potential for Indian pharmaceutical companies to export or establish manufacturing units in Kuwait.
* **Indian Pharma Exports to Kuwait:**
* Pharmaceutical exports from India to Kuwait have increased threefold in the last four years.
* Exports rose from US$3.82 million in FY2021-22 to US$12.17 million in FY2024-25.
* **Steps to Enhance Exports:**
* A virtual conference on the pharmaceutical sector and INDO-GCC Connect were organized by Pharmexcil.
* Interactions with Kuwaiti conglomerates and business groups were facilitated by the Indian Embassy and Pharmexcil.
* A list of Indian companies registered with US FDA and EMA was provided to the Ministry of Health, Kuwait.
* Kuwaiti pharmaceutical stakeholders are invited to iPHEX 2025 in New Delhi, which includes buyer-seller meetings.
Impact Analysis:
Indian Pharmaceutical Companies:
Impact: Potential for increased exports and establishment of manufacturing units in Kuwait, leading to business growth.
Action Required: Participate in Pharmexcil initiatives like virtual conferences and iPHEX 2025; explore partnerships with Kuwaiti businesses; consider registering with US FDA and EMA.
Pharmexcil:
Impact: Responsible for facilitating and promoting pharmaceutical exports to Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Action Required: Continue organizing virtual conferences, business-to-business meetings, and providing support to Indian companies; coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.
Indian Embassy in Kuwait:
Impact: Plays a crucial role in facilitating interactions between Indian pharmaceutical companies and Kuwaiti stakeholders.
Action Required: Continue supporting Pharmexcil initiatives, facilitating meetings with Kuwaiti business groups, and providing market information to Indian companies.
Kuwaiti Importers, Healthcare Groups, and Regulators:
Impact: Opportunity to access lower-cost generic drugs from India and diversify their pharmaceutical supply chain.
Action Required: Attend iPHEX 2025 in New Delhi to explore partnerships with Indian pharmaceutical companies; engage in buyer-seller meetings with Indian manufacturers and exporters.
Key Entities Referenced
Kuwait: A country in the Middle East, identified as a promising destination for Indian pharmaceutical exports and production facilities.
Indian pharmaceutical firms: Companies from India that manufacture and export pharmaceutical products, targeted for expansion into the Kuwaiti market.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the chemicals and fertilizers sector, including pharmaceuticals.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: A department under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, specifically focused on the pharmaceutical industry.
Shri Eatala Rajender: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about Indian Pharma Units in Kuwait.
SMT. Anupriya Patel: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers who provided the answer to the question.
Pharmexcil (Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India): An organization under the Department of Commerce, working to enhance pharmaceutical exports from India, including to Kuwait.
Gulf Cooperation Council: A regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of the Persian Gulf except for Iraq.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 957
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 JULY, 2025
Indian Pharma Units in Kuwait
957. Shri Eatala Rajender:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether a recent study has indicated that reliance on imports in the absence of significant
manufacturing footprint coupled with a growing population make Kuwait a promising
destination for Indian pharmaceutical firms to export or set up production facilities;
(b) whether low pharma exports from India to Kuwait is a pointer to an untapped potential for
lower cost options from India, which is a major generic drugs supplier;
(c) if so, the details thereof indicating the extent of Indian pharma exports to Kuwait along
with the steps taken to explore this untapped market;
(d) the details of strategy worked out to improve the business with Kuwait and other Gulf
countries in pharma sector along with the present status thereof; and
(e) the proactive steps being taken to explore this untapped market?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND
FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): A market study on pharmaceutical sector in Kuwait, commissioned by the Embassy of
India and released in March 2025, highlights that Kuwait lacks significant pharmaceutical
manufacturing capacity as there is only one local manufacturer in Kuwait. The study states
that various advantages exist for Indian pharmaceutical companies to set up drug
manufacturing in Kuwait, or to actively undertake exports to the country.
(b) to (e): As per data of the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, it
is seen that in the last four years, pharmaceuticals exports by India to Kuwait have grown
rapidly and steadily, becoming more than threefold in a period of just three years, rising from
US$3.82 million in FY2021-22, to US$ 6.16 million in FY2022-23, to US$ 8.27 million in
FY2023-24 to US$ 12.17 million in FY2024-25.The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) under the
Department of Commerce has informed that with a view to enhance exports to Kuwait, a
virtual conference on the pharmaceutical sector and INDO-GCC Connect, a virtual
pharmaceutical business-to-business sales meet were organised to connect Indian
pharmaceutical companies with buyers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries,
including Kuwait. Further, interaction with Kuwaiti conglomerates was held and interactions
with major Kuwaiti business groups facilitated jointly by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait and
Pharmexcil to explore partnerships with Indian pharmaceutical companies. In addition, on a
request from the Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Pharmexcil has provided a list of Indian
companies and manufacturers registered with United States Food and Drug Administration
and European Medicines Agency.
Other steps taken to tap this market include invitation to key pharmaceutical
stakeholders in Kuwait to attend the International Pharmaceutical Exhibition, iPHEX 2025
scheduled in September 2025 in New Delhi, during which buyer-seller meets with, among
others, Kuwaiti importers, healthcare groups and regulators are planned.
*****