Phnom penh: A 70-member Indian business delegation representing 56 pharmaceutical companies held business-to-business (B2B) talks in Phnom Penh on Thursday to explore trade and investment opportunities in Cambodia's pharmaceutical sector. The event was jointly organised by the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India and the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, more than 100 Cambodian stakeholders attended the meeting, which brought together Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporters covering a wide range of products and services. The B2B platform aimed to facilitate business partnerships, technology transfer, and potential investment in Cambodia's expanding healthcare sector.
In his opening remarks, Indian Ambassador H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung highlighted India's consistent role in supplying high-quality and affordable medicines to countries across the globe. He emphasised that the visit of the Indian pharmaceutical delegation reflects India's commitment to strengthening healthcare cooperation with Cambodia and supporting the country's efforts to improve access to safe, affordable, and quality medicines.
H.E. Pich Rithi, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, noted that Cambodia represents a promising market for the Indian pharmaceutical industry in terms of both trade and investment.
Dr. Hoy Sereivathanak, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, delivered a detailed presentation on Cambodia's regulatory framework, including procedures for drug registration, renewal of licenses, and investment regulations governing the pharmaceutical sector. The session provided valuable clarity to Indian companies seeking to enter or expand in the Cambodian market.
Dr. Raja Bhanu, Director General of Pharmexcil, expressed sincere appreciation to the Cambodian government and business community for their continued trust in Indian pharmaceutical products. He also highlighted the rapid growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, emphasising its wide product range, strong quality control standards, and price competitiveness in the international market.
India today stands as one of the leading pharmaceutical producers globally. Over 60 percent of India's pharmaceutical exports are destined for highly regulated markets, reflecting the industry's adherence to stringent quality, safety, and compliance standards. India is home to more than 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and over 10,000 manufacturing facilities, collectively producing more than 60,000 generic brands across diverse therapeutic segments. The country is a major global supplier of generic medicines and vaccines, meeting over 60 percent of global vaccine demand.
The strength of India's pharmaceutical sector is reflected in its export performance at about US$30.5 billion in 2025, registering a growth of around 9.4 percent. The sector, currently valued at around US$60 billion, is projected to reach US$130 billion by 2030. India ranks third globally by volume, with medicines exported to over 200 markets. Pharmaceutical products constitute one of the leading components of India's exports to Cambodia. In 2024, India exported pharmaceutical products worth approximately US$48 million to Cambodia. This increased to around US$55 million in 2025.
Cambodia's total pharmaceutical imports in 2025 were approximately US$350 million, with India accounting for nearly 17-18 percent of the market share. These figures reflect the strong confidence Cambodian partners place in Indian pharmaceutical products and highlight the significant potential for further expansion of bilateral trade.
The B2B interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Cambodia to strengthening healthcare cooperation, enhancing trade ties, and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector.