In a step that will expand its investments footprint in African markets, Julphar, the Emirati global pharmaceutical company, is sponsoring and participating in the inaugural Ethiopia Healthcare Summit which kicked off today in Addis Ababa, in the presence of over 200 industry experts and investors.
Julphar’s support of the Summit is part of the company’s emerging markets’ strategy and expansion plans in Africa and also mirrors the current strong trading ties between the U.A.E. and Ethiopia, and follows a meeting in Dubai last month between the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a trade mission from Ethiopia.
“Africa provides huge investment opportunities which can consolidate the growing role of Julphar in the global healthcare industry”, said Steve Gravenor, Director of the Sub-Saharan Africa region at Julphar, adding, “We have the knowledge and expertise required to contribute to African governments’ efforts to achieve their Millennial Development Goals – particularly in relation to combating disease, by optimising availability of and accessibility to quality medications and reducing African markets’ reliance on imported medicines.” “Julphar is looking to explore partnerships with African governments, regulatory bodies, NGO’s, finance institutions and healthcare providers in order to expand our investment footprint across the continent, contribute to the rapid development of Africa’s indigenous pharmaceutical sector and improve healthcare inclusion of African communities”, added Gravenor.
Last year, Julphar established its first manufacturing plant outside the U.A.E., in Addis Ababa, jointly with a local Ethiopian pharma company. The facility, Julphar Pharmaceuticals PLC, offers a comprehensive portfolio of high quality, affordable pharmaceutical products which are distributed in Ethiopia, with expansion plans for additional capacity and exports. The plant is currently producing tablets and syrups and employs 130 local staff.
Also, last month Julphar participated in the annual Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Association (EPA) conference, where tje company arranged two weeks of hands-on training in the U.A.E. for five graduate students from five universities in Ethiopia through the association.
“We are delighted that our support will enable students to benefit from the internship programme. We are convinced that the provision of accessible healthcare will remain a vital foundation of the economy of Ethiopia and we would like to express our commitment to working in alignment with our partners to contribute towards sustainable healthcare in the region.”said Mukamil Abdallah, Country Director, Julphar Pharmaceuticals PLC..
Julphar was launched in 1980 as a generic pharmaceutical company. In 2012, the company made inroads into biotechnology with the launch of a $150m manufacturing facility in the U.A.E., entirely dedicated to producing the raw material needed for biosimilar products. Today, this facility is the only plant in the MEA region that produces insulin using insulin crystals derived from r-DNA technology. The company presents another success story of a local company that has grown to play a more influential role globally.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
