Photo: liter.kz
Three Hungarian pharmaceutical companies are in talks with Uzbek authorities to establish drug manufacturing operations in the Central Asian country, Gazeta.uz reported, citing the Uzbekistan 24 television channel.
In a televised interview, Abdulla Azizov, head of Uzbekistan’s Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency, shared details about the ongoing negotiations. One of Hungary’s leading pharmaceutical firms, Gedeon Richter—with an annual turnover of $2 billion—is already active in Uzbekistan, exporting medicines worth $36 million. Talks are now underway to launch contract manufacturing within the country.
According to Azizov, the initial phase of the project will focus on the production of five pharmaceutical products. As clinical protocols are reviewed, the product range is expected to expand, giving the Hungarian company broader manufacturing capabilities.
Another company interested in localizing production is Egis Pharmaceuticals. Currently, Egis supplies over 30 types of medicines to Uzbekistan, with annual exports totaling $6–7 million. Establishing a manufacturing facility would significantly strengthen the company's position in the local market and offer new business opportunities.
Uzbekistan is also in discussions with Meditop Pharmaceutical. Azizov noted that the company has already registered 16 of its products in Uzbekistan and is preparing to localize production. In parallel, Meditop is conducting market research to assess demand. If results are favorable, production will begin at the Tashkent Pharma Park cluster.
These developments follow the official visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Hungary on May 20–21, during which officials from both countries held meetings to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Particular focus was placed on deepening economic and investment ties.
As part of the visit, Uzbekistan’s Uzatom agency signed a cooperation agreement with Hungarian state-owned company MVM EGI Zrt. The agreement includes plans to introduce dry cooling systems for Uzbekistan’s future nuclear power plants.
