KISI Delegation Visits SKMA: Prospects for Developing the South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster Discussed

А delegation from the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KISI) paid a working visit to the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA). As part of the visit, a meeting was held to discuss prospects for the development of the South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster and ways to strengthen cooperation among the scientific, educational, healthcare, manufacturing, business and government sectors.

The delegation included Zhanar Gabdullina, Deputy Chairman of KISI for Economic Policy; Bibigul Omirbayeva, Head of the Department of Global Economy and Sustainable Development at KISI; Anna Alshanskaya, Head of the Department of Economic Policy Analysis at KISI; and Zhanna Baitemirova, Head of Directorate at QazIndustry, the Kazakhstan Industry and Export Center.

The meeting was attended by Aslan Kinayatov, Director of the Department for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry; Yermek Turmanov, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial and Innovative Development of Shymkent; and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, science, education, healthcare, manufacturing and business sectors.

Marat Shoranov, Chairman of the Management Board and Rector of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University; Almaz Sharmanov, President of the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition; and Asylan Ibadullayev, Director of the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Turkistan Region, joined the meeting online.

Zhanna Seitzhanova, Rector of the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, welcomed the participants and expressed her gratitude for their support of joint initiatives and interest in developing the South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster. She emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation among science, education, healthcare, manufacturing, business and government institutions to advance Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry.

B.K. Nurmashev, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs at SKMA and President of the Association of Legal Entities “South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster,” delivered a presentation on the cluster’s activities. He outlined its establishment, organisational structure, membership, achievements and future development prospects. He also highlighted key priorities, including the introduction of scientific developments into manufacturing, the development of domestically produced pharmaceutical products, and the strengthening of infrastructure and human resources.

Regional representatives of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs participated in the meeting. Sabira Kurshidovna Adambekova, Director of the Shymkent Chamber of Entrepreneurs, discussed cooperation among business, science, and education in developing the pharmaceutical cluster and presented proposals to support cluster initiatives. Maksat Duisenbekovich Otkelbayev, Deputy Director of the Shymkent Chamber of Entrepreneurs, also attended the meeting.

Asylan Seilbekovich Ibadullayev, Director of the Turkistan Region Chamber of Entrepreneurs, joined the meeting online to discuss expanding interregional cooperation. The Atameken representatives paid particular attention to supporting pharmaceutical companies, strengthening cooperation between science and business, and implementing joint projects within the cluster.

The participants discussed promising areas for increasing the potential of Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, commercialising research projects, improving scientific and manufacturing infrastructure, training qualified personnel, and implementing joint innovation projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants emphasised the importance of combining the efforts of government bodies, scientific and educational institutions, healthcare organisations, pharmaceutical companies and the business community to support the further development of the South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster.

Following the meeting, representatives of KISI and QazIndustry visited several leading manufacturing and clinical organisations within the cluster, where they learned about their activities, production facilities and clinical capabilities.

Highlights from the meeting and the visit to the production facilities of the South Kazakhstan Pharmaceutical Cluster