The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE), held a trade and investment forum together with the Ministry of Health Kenya and the private health sector in Kenya on the 30th of August 2018 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.
The main aim of the forum was to establish and maintain a good relationship between Kenyan and Chinese healthcare sectors and further explore investment opportunities in the Kenyan pharmaceutical industry. This forum was sponsored by UKAID and brought together participants from Ministry of Health Kenya, Pharmacy and Poisons Board Kenya, the Kenya Healthcare Federation, the Kenya Chamber of Commerce, the Economic & Commercial Counsellor’s Office at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and the China Africa Friendship Association.
Ms. Guo Xiaodan deputy secretary of sub-chamber, department of pharmaceutical, CCCMHPIE, opened the forum by welcoming the guests. In her opening speech, she reiterated that she’s extremely happy to visit Kenya and establish a lasting relationship between Kenyan and Chinese healthcare sectors.
CCCMHPIE was established in May in 1989. It is the most internationalized and influential healthcare industry association in China the key areas of responsibility include: policy and industry coordination, conferences and training, exhibitions registration, consulting, market surveys and analysis reports in traditional Chinese medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical devices & dressings, biopharmaceuticals and functional cosmetics.
In his speech, Mr. Tan Shengcai, head of the Chinese healthcare delegation gave a background of Kenya – China relationship especially in investment. He emphasized that Kenya has been contracting China in building and construction particularly in road construction. There is need to have deeper engagement especially in the healthcare industry. He invited the Chinese healthcare delegates to evaluate the Kenyan market and see possible investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Amit Thakker, Chairman, Kenya Healthcare Federation welcomed the China healthcare delegation to Kenya. In his speech, he informed the attendees that the investment forum is very timely since it touches on two pillars of the BIG 4 Agenda i.e. Manufacturing and Affordable Healthcare for all. He however emphasized that there is need to bridge the gaps in healthcare drivers, such as Human Resource for Health, Healthcare financing healthcare and ICT and Mobile Health.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board was clear on their regulatory role in the practice of Pharmacy and the Manufacture and Trade in drugs and poisons. The Board aims to implement the appropriate regulatory measures to achieve the highest standards of safety, efficacy and quality for all drugs, chemical substances and medical devices locally manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, sold, or used, to ensure the protection of the consumer as envisaged by the laws regulating drugs in Kenya.
There was a B2B session thereafter conducted by CCCMHPIE where the China delegation had an impactful engagement with the Kenyan health sector, both private and public. The China delegation touched on business opportunities and engagements that can be established between Kenya and China. The Chinese team visited Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) thereafter.