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In a strategic move to tap into the rising demand for pharmaceuticals in Kuwait, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) has issued a call for comments and suggestions from Indian pharma manufacturers and exporters. The objective is to evaluate opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical products and medical devices in Kuwait, following a detailed market study commissioned by the Embassy of India in Kuwait.
The study, conducted by renowned regional consultancy firm MARMORE MENA Intelligence, outlines significant potential for Indian firms to establish a foothold in Kuwait’s evolving pharmaceutical landscape. The report comes at a time when the Kuwaiti government is actively crafting a national pharmaceutical manufacturing strategy aimed at fostering a competitive and export-ready industry.
Pharmexcil director general K. Raja Bhanu highlighted that the initiative includes a proposal to send a Pharmexcil-led delegation to Kuwait for direct engagement with local stakeholders. "The findings of the study underscore Kuwait's appetite for high-quality pharmaceutical imports and offer a roadmap for Indian exporters to strategically align their offerings with the country’s healthcare goals," he said.
Key insights from the Kuwait market study indicates focus on drug formulations. The country currently prioritizes high-quality drug formulations, with no immediate plans to develop active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing. There is interest in collaborations for local biosimilar production.
Efforts are underway to localize packaging of medicines and medical supplies. Kuwait is developing incentive programmes to attract multinational players through offset arrangements.
There is focus to support local manufacturers through expanded supply contracts and incentive frameworks with an aim to strengthen domestic production capacity. Innovations like continuous manufacturing and modular factory designs are being promoted. The country is fostering academia-industry partnerships through dedicated research clusters.
Kuwait’s pharmaceutical sector demonstrated robust growth from 2020 to 2024, outpacing the overall Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region during the same period. The surge was largely due to increased revenues post-pandemic, especially from vaccine-related sales. In 2021, pharmaceutical revenue in Kuwait soared by 46.1% compared to 2019 and rose 26.3% over 2020 levels.
While the growth rate is expected to stabilize going forward, revenue levels are projected to remain high, offering sustained opportunities for Indian exporters. The country’s reliance on pharmaceutical imports is driven by a rapidly growing population and a current lack of local manufacturing facilities.
Trade data underscores the pharmaceutical sector's growing role in Kuwait’s economy, reinforcing the strategic importance of international partnerships to meet domestic healthcare needs.
Industry experts see this as a pivotal moment to deepen India-Kuwait pharma ties, with mutual benefits in technology sharing, economic growth, and healthcare access.
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