Lok Sabha Question No. 957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Indian Pharma Units in Kuwait
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender

## 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.

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