Dhaka: Afghanistan and Bangladesh have begun negotiations to address Afghanistan’s growing medicine shortages after pharmaceutical supplies from Pakistan were halted amid ongoing tensions between the two neighbours, cutting off a trade stream previously valued at an estimated $150 million to $200 million annually.
Bangladesh has expressed strong interest in supplying Afghanistan with medicines and medical products, positioning itself as an alternative source at a time when Afghan authorities are struggling to meet basic healthcare needs due to disruptions in traditional import channels.
The development emerged during the 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair, where Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister for Industry and Commerce, Maulvi Ahmadullah Zahid, held meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials, including the head of the Export Promotion Bureau, Mohammad Hassan Arif, according to Bakhtar News Agency.
The Afghan delegation, accompanied by Bangladeshi government representatives, chambers of commerce members and local traders, toured the official section of the exhibition and reviewed stalls related to pharmaceuticals, textiles and industrial products. Afghan officials praised the quality, organisation and production standards of Bangladeshi goods.
During the visit, Afghan representatives said international trade exhibitions play an important role in building trust, improving mutual understanding and expanding commercial ties between countries.
In separate meetings, officials from both sides discussed trade potential and future cooperation, with Bangladeshi authorities stating that their country was ready to export medicines and medical products to Afghanistan in line with international standards. They highlighted the rapid development of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector and its growing presence in global markets.
Afghan officials described the offer as timely and critical for their health sector, which is under increasing pressure due to medicine shortages following the disruption of supplies from Pakistan. They noted that Afghanistan is now actively diversifying its sources of pharmaceuticals and has begun turning towards India, Bangladesh, Iran and Turkey to meet domestic demand.
The two sides also explored options for joint trade meetings, stronger business-to-business engagement and formal frameworks for sustained cooperation in pharmaceuticals and other sectors.
At the conclusion of the discussions, both delegations agreed on the need to convert friendly relations into practical economic partnerships that could expand trade volumes, strengthen mutual confidence and generate tangible economic benefits for both countries.
With Pakistan-Afghanistan pharmaceutical trade remaining stalled, Bangladesh’s entry into the Afghan medicine market signals a potential shift in regional supply chains, as Kabul seeks reliable partners to ensure uninterrupted access to essential drugs.