Bangladesh
Sinopharm Joint Production China sends draft memorandum of understanding on joint coronavirus vaccine production
Dhaka, August 3: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said China has send a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to a local pharmaceutical in Bangladesh to jointly produce their Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine.
"We have already sent the draft MoU to the Ministry of Health ... they need to act quickly," he told reporters at the state guest house Padma on Monday.
The Foreign Minister said a final memorandum of understanding would be prepared soon.
Momen said that after signing the final agreement, it will take about two months for the joint venture to start production. He said China's Sinopharm is going for joint production with Bangladesh's Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Under the possible agreement, Incepta will not be able to make vaccines in Bangladesh, they will only bottle and label the Chinese jabs locally, the minister said. He also mentioned that the cost of vaccine will be much less.
The foreign minister said the final agreement would be signed between the three parties, the government of Bangladesh, Incepta Pharmaceuticals and China's Sinopharm. Regarding the joint production of Russian vaccines in the country, the Foreign Minister said that at present the Moscow administration is working slowly because a third wave of coronavirus has hit Russia.
"However we have engaged all our efforts with them (Moscow) to go into joint production of the Russian vaccine," he said.
Earlier on Monday morning, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met with the Foreign Minister at his office. During the meeting, the Chinese ambassador assured that his government would ensure continued supply of vaccines to Bangladesh.
Momen said, "However, as there is a huge demand for Chinese vaccines worldwide, they have asked us to inform them in advance about our demand."
Dhaka has received seven million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine so far.
Stating that Bangladesh has received 5.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the United States of America, the minister said Washington DC has assured of sending more jabs to the country.
