Shenlian Biomedical, the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sino Pharma Pvt Ltd signed a tripartite cooperation agreement in Shanghai on Thursday to jointly develop the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine market in Gwadar and other specified areas of Balochistan.

The agreement was signed during a visit by the secretary to the president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Shanghai Shenlian Biomedical, where the two sides also discussed plans to establish a joint animal vaccine laboratory in Gwadar.

Talking to Gwadar Pro, James Shen, Head of the Overseas Business Department at Shenlian Biomedical, said that under the three-year agreement, we will provide FMD vaccines, technical support and compliance assistance, while the Gwadar Chamber will coordinate regional market development, local resources and liaison with relevant authorities. Sino Pharma Pvt Ltd, also referred to as Celer Farm, will serve as the exclusive regional commercial agent.

“The cooperation will focus initially on the supply and market development of a South African Type 1 FMD vaccine series for livestock, including sheep, beef, cattle and dairy cattle,” he said.

“The Gwadar Chamber will use its local industrial, commercial and livestock-sector networks to support market promotion, channel development and end-user outreach. It will also assist in liaison with local agriculture and livestock authorities and other regulatory bodies to facilitate product registration and market access,” he added.

According to the agreement, obtaining the required registration and market-access approvals will be a priority before commercial promotion and sales begin. The three parties will also share market information, including demand trends, competitor prices and tender updates, to support sales and marketing strategies.

The agreement initially applies to the Gwadar area and specified parts of Balochistan, although the partners may explore expanding cooperation to other parts of Pakistan and, eventually, neighbouring South Asian markets.

The proposed joint animal vaccine laboratory in Gwadar could further support China-Pakistan cooperation in animal health, veterinary technology and livestock development.

The three parties said they would work on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, long-term commitment and compliant operations to establish a stable and sustainable cooperation mechanism. The agreement will remain in force for three years, with priority for renewal if the project remains profitable and no material breaches occur.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China