22-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia and Kenya have initiated a collaborative effort in the healthcare sector, focusing on pharmaceutical product regulation and technology transfer for vaccine production.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed Indonesia’s dedication to strengthening its ties with Kenya in the fields of health, food security, and disaster mitigation through Indonesian Aid to Kenya. This commitment underscores Indonesia’s intent to engage more deeply in Kenya’s priority sectors.
President Jokowi made this announcement during a joint online press statement with Kenyan President William Ruto. The collaboration will primarily involve Indonesia’s National Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the Kenyan Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) concerning the regulation of pharmaceutical products.
In the realm of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, the partnership will encompass Indonesia’s state-owned pharmaceutical holding company, Bio Farma, and Kenya’s Biovax with Generics Africa Ltd. President Ruto disclosed that BPOM and PPB have already inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize this cooperation.
This bilateral effort aims to enhance the promotion, development, and implementation of pharmaceutical product regulations, furthering healthcare advancements. Additionally, an agreement has been reached for the transfer of technology and the marketing of Bio Farma’s vaccines within Kenya. Bio Farma plans to establish vaccine production facilities in Kenya, capitalizing on the nation’s strategic location and its status as a regional hub with significant economic importance.
In its statement, Bio Farma highlighted Kenya’s position as a critical hub capable of reaching more than 300 million people in neighboring countries, including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Congo. This collaboration is the result of discussions that occurred on July 14, 2023, in Nairobi, involving Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Kenya’s Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kiarie Kuria.
