Sinopharm, Incepta Likely to Sign a MoU on Aug 16

Bangladesh is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday (16 Aug) with relevant parties on coproduction of the Sinopharm vaccine.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, the signing ceremony will take place at 3 pm at the BCPS Auditorium in Mohakhali, Dhaka.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming are scheduled to attend and witness the signing of the MoU.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen earlier said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on coproduction of Sinopharm vaccine in Bangladesh was ready for signing, and it should be done without any delay.

"We have received it [the MoU] and it is with the Health Ministry. It should be done any moment. I think the Health Ministry should dispose of it very quickly,” he told reporters.

Dr Momen said the government of Bangladesh, Sinopharm and a local company - Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd - would sign the agreement.

He said Incepta would bring in the material in bulk and bottling, labelling and finishing of the vaccine would be done locally making the price relatively very cheap.