Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - The progress of Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry has been recognized by the world as Indonesia was chosen as the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Vaccines and Biotechnology of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) according to Resolution 4/6-ICHM of 2017.

At the 7th OIC Minister of Health Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Indonesian Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto explained that the CoE was inaugurated on May 14, 2018 at the Indonesian vaccine manufacturer PT Bio Farma in Bandung, West Java, and provides research and development laboratory facilities.

In addition, the CoE Secretariat has also been built at the Indonesian Ministry of Health in Jakarta, according to a report published by the Government News Network as quoted by Indonesia Window here on Friday.

Indonesia has also set up Road Map of Center of Excellence (CoE) in Vaccines and Biotechnology which is divided into short-term (2018-2022), medium-term (2023-2027) and long-term (2028 and forth).

The road map is expected to be a guide for Indonesia and OIC countries in developing the Center for Excellence in Vaccines and Biotechnology to meet vaccine needs.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) stated its commitment to support the development of the center of excellence that provides training programs and new vaccine research projects to produce products for OIC member countries.

The establishment of CoE in Indonesia has a double benefit for the country, which has become a leading vaccine producer among the OIC member states. Indonesia has increased its exports of 14 WHO (World Health Organization)-certified products to all OIC member countries.

"In addition to WHO certification, these products will also be provided with halal certificates for OIC member countries," Indonesian Minister of Health Terawan explained.

His explanation had convinced his counterparts from Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia and the Maldives to spontaneously convey commitments to buy Indonesian-produced vaccines to meet their national immunization needs.

The 7th OIC Minister of Health Conference was on December 16-17, 2019.

This year, the biannual conference was participated by 57 OIC member countries that discussed the topic of Quality of Life.

Reporting by Indonesia Window