Pharmaceutical Industry in Pakistan has come a long way. At the time of independence in 1947, pharmaceutical manufacturing industry was non-existent. In the early period, multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers set up their plants. It helped us to fulfill not only the growing demand of quality medicines but also trained and educated a talent pool of pharmacists and professionals who later on laid the foundation of local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Today the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry enjoys more than 53% of market share. It has become the dominant player of country's health sector and also a major contributor of foreign exchange by exporting to the bearing Asian and African countries.

The business environment is highly promising, with the liberal government policies, the industry has plan for expansion. Consistent economic policies have increased the investor's confidence and various new projects and expansion plans being undertaken.

Under the dynamic leadership of PPMA president, Mr. Saeed Allawala, various initiatives have been taken to improve the image and standard of local pharmaceutical manufactures. The Pak Pharam Expo 2006 is one of them. It is the first integrated exhibition focused on Pharmaceutical Industry. The exhibition will provide a rare opportunity to both local and international manufactures and suppliers of equipment and service to have in direct contact with the Pharmaceutical Manufactures in Pakistan.

Pakistan enjoys a very unique geographical position which gives it a strategic position for the market access to Afghanistan, Middle East, Africa and Asian states. The industry is far more organized compare to the neighboring countries of Iran, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They have made inroads to the African markets and the future is very promising.

Pak Pharma Expo 2006, will definitely go a long way to create and build long business relations of the manufacturers and suppliers with Pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan. It is an invitation to all those who want to seize this opportunity and to further galvanizing their position to take share of this lucrative market.