Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 May (BelTA) - Belarus is interested in joint projects with Japan in medical science and pharmaceutical industry, Belarus’ Healthcare Minister Valery Malashko told BelTA. The healthcare ministry is leading a business delegation of Belarus at the first Belarusian-Japanese economic forum.

According to the minister, the Belarusian delegation is set to hold meetings in the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, to visit enterprises and conduct negotiations with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Chukan Butsu, Shionogi Pharma and Ono Pharmaceutical. The Belarusian delegation will also visit the NTT Medical Center Tokyo.

Representatives of the Belarusian pharmaceutical industry are planning to sign memoranda of cooperation with Japanese pharmaceutical companies. In the long term this will help Belarusian pharmaceutical manufacturers to implement joint projects to localize the production of the medicines from the portfolio of leading Japanese manufacturers. Setting up joint ventures with Japanese or foreign investment may be also on the agenda.

The most important part of the business trip is the presentation of the investment potential of Belarus. The emphasis will be made on the favorable terms provided in the industrial park Great Stone, Valery Malashko noted. Mogilev Oblast will present the projects in the field of mechanical engineering, electric and high-tech medical equipment. The program of the visit also includes a regional meeting “Mogilev Oblast - Osaka Prefecture”, a business matchmaking event, B2B meetings. “Of course, we plan to explore the prospects of cooperation with Japanese companies in information and telecommunications technologies, automation and robotics, production of electric vehicles and components, investment cooperation,” the minister noted.

The Belarusian delegation comprises representatives of the Alexandrov National Cancer Center of Belarus and the Vitebsk State Medical University. Attending the events of the forum will also be representatives of the Babushkina Krynka dairy, Bobruisk meat packing plant, Krasny Pischevik, of the Mogilev Oblast Consumers’ Union, FEZ Mogilev and others. On behalf of Japan the forum will be attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan External Trade Organization JETRO, heads of leading Japanese companies.