Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency and KIND Discuss Implementation of SMART-BIO CLUSTER Project in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 24 February, Abdulla Azizov, Director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry, held a further meeting with Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND) as part of the "2025 K-City Network: Tashkent Smart Bio-Cluster" project.

At the center of discussions was the SMART-BIO CLUSTER project, planned for implementation on the territory of the Tashkent Pharma Park pharmaceutical cluster. The project envisages the creation of a bio-industrial zone, a research and development center, an artificial intelligence and startup zone, as well as the development of social and engineering infrastructure.

During the talks, the parties discussed priority areas of cooperation, including attracting foreign investment, establishing modern biotechnology and pharmaceutical production facilities, developing scientific research and innovation, forming joint projects on the basis of public-private partnerships, introducing advanced international best practices, training highly qualified specialists, and improving the operational efficiency of pharmaceutical clusters.

Particular attention was paid to the project's economic significance, with an expected contribution to gross domestic product, increased production volumes, and the creation of more than 8,000 new jobs.

As an outcome of the meeting, the parties agreed to move to the next stage of project implementation, including the development of a feasibility study and its presentation at a high level.

The implementation of the SMART-BIO CLUSTER will serve to strengthen the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and South Korea, attract major investment into pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and develop innovative, high value-added production facilities.