The second stop of the group investigation in the African market - Congo (Kinshasa)

From April 10 to 13, Zhang Lin, Vice President of Weihai Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry Association and Chairman of Shandong Qianshuda Medical Technology Co., Ltd., together with Na Shuncang, Vice President of Weihai International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd., Cong Jing, General Manager of Weihai Huate Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Bai Lianhai, Chairman of Leading Bioengineering Co., Ltd., and Yu Liying, Deputy Manager of Investment Management Department of Weihai International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd., were invited to visit Congo (DRC) for a four-day visit. The visit aims to deepen China-Africa cooperation in the medical field and explore common development opportunities for both sides in medical devices and medical technologies.

During their stay in Congo (DRC), the delegation was warmly welcomed and received by ministers of many ministries and commissions of the country. The delegation held talks with Dr.S. Roger KAMBA, Minister of Health, and had an in-depth discussion on the plan of Weihai enterprises to build medical equipment manufacturing enterprises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is located in central Africa and is known as the "Heart of Africa". It has a land area of 2,344,885 square kilometers. As of 2023, the population is about 102.3 million, second only to Algeria in Africa. The medical conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are poor, with a shortage of medical equipment, lack of doctors and medicines, and various diseases raging, with a high mortality rate. About 500,000 people die from malaria every year. There are only 18 medical companies, less than 10 actually operating companies, and 80% of products are imported from abroad. Through exchanges, it is hoped that Weihai companies will introduce advanced medical technologies and products to improve the medical and health level of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and benefit the local people.

During the inspection, the delegation visited medical institutions such as the Ngaliema District Government Hospital, the National Institute of Public Health, and the China Olympic Hospital, and had a more intuitive understanding of the operation status and medical needs of local hospitals, and a deep understanding of the operation status and medical needs of local hospitals. Dr. KONGO MINGA, head of the Ngaliema District Government Hospital, gave the delegation a detailed introduction to the hospital's operations, medical facilities and challenges. He said that the hospital has been working hard to provide basic medical services, but due to limited resources and technology, there are still many areas that need to be improved and upgraded. Dr. KONGO MINGA specifically mentioned that they are very eager to learn from the advanced experience and technology represented by the delegation, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, and jointly promote the progress and development of medical and health care.

At the same time, the delegation visited the general manager of the Drug Administration Office of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and had in-depth exchanges on the market access and regulatory policies of medicines, and discussed the market access and regulatory policies of medicines.

In addition, the delegation also held discussions with local medical supplies distributors and Chinese private clinics, and conducted in-depth discussions on issues such as market environment, sales channels and customer needs. And visited the National Biological Laboratory to gain a deeper understanding of the local scientific research strength and medical facilities. These activities will help Weihai companies to grasp the market dynamics more accurately and lay a solid foundation for future cooperation. Through this inspection, Weihai companies not only grasped the market dynamics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo more accurately, but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Finally, the delegation came to the engineering project headquarters and real estate company of Weihai International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The key projects of the international cooperation company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo include not only housing projects, but also other public infrastructure projects, such as the terminal building renovation project of Kisangani International Airport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Kalemie Airport project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition, it has also invested in the construction of alcohol factories and tile factories and other projects in the local area. In the process of opening up the African market, it has achieved many phased results.

Through exchanges, the two sides had an in-depth and detailed discussion on the plan of Weihai enterprises to set up medical device manufacturers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The plan is to invest in the production of products such as syringes, infusion sets, indwelling needles, blood collection tubes, etc. in the early stage. Once the production line is successfully tested and stabilized, it plans to gradually increase investment to expand the scale of production and product types. Minister of Health Dr.S. Roger KAMBA said that once Weihai enterprises establish production lines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and produce corresponding products, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will prohibit the import of corresponding products to support the development of domestic industries. The initial cooperation intention is in three aspects: 1. Establish a "one-stop" after-sales service center to form a one-stop service, fully responsible for the procurement, maintenance, training, technology and other services of hospital equipment; 2. The procurement plan of the Ministry of Health, the list includes: Among them, medical equipment includes, large equipment demand: CT equipment, extracorporeal lithotripsy, MRI equipment, large gastroscopy equipment, dental equipment, etc. There are 193 types of medicines, with an average monthly quantity of about 70,000. The specific price is now in the inquiry stage, and the overall procurement plan amount is to be determined; 3. Reach a preliminary cooperation intention with the agent, determine the monthly order amount of pharmaceutical and medical equipment products, and it is expected that about 600,000 US dollars of orders will be guaranteed each month.

After returning to China, Weihai Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Industry Association and Weihai International Union will write to Dr.S. Roger KAMBA, Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to introduce in detail the current situation of Weihai enterprises, the willingness to introduce China's advanced medical industry to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and request the support and assistance of the Ministry of Health. At the same time, we will complete the proposal for introducing our city's medical industry into the Democratic Republic of the Congo as soon as possible and submit it to the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a timely manner to promote the smooth implementation of the project.