Chinese, Pakistani firms sign $250M MoUs to boost medical equipment trade

BEIJING: Chinese and Pakistani companies have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth $250 million in the medical equipment and surgical instruments sector during the China-Pakistan B2B matchmaking conference held in Beijing.

The event, organized by the Pakistani Embassy in China, facilitated agreements between Pakistan’s Sawuat, a dental and surgical instrument manufacturer, and Chinese pharmaceutical company UPH Biopharma, brokered by the Silk Road Assistance Industrial Internet Platform. This collaboration aims to attract more Chinese investment in Pakistan’s medical sector through trade and joint ventures.

Sunny Yang, Chief Technology Officer of the Silk Road Assistance Industrial Internet Platform, highlighted Pakistan’s strategic advantages.

“Pakistan’s vast market, tax incentives, and European-standard regulations position it as a prime destination for international investment,” he said. “With China’s advanced technology, Pakistan can enhance its medical industry, develop its own brands, and climb the global value chain.”

As the world’s fifth-largest hub for medical manufacturing, Sialkot, Pakistan, exports over 80% of its production. Pakistan’s low production costs and geographic proximity to Central Asia and the Middle East make it an attractive market for global companies.

Zhou Hui, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, emphasized the rising demand for high-value medical products in Pakistan.

“Pakistani companies must align with China’s regulations for medical devices and drugs. The Chamber will continue providing consulting services to facilitate market entry for Pakistani products,” he stated.

Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, President of the China Pakistan Medical Association, announced plans to establish a China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital in Islamabad and a joint medical technology park. His association also signed an agreement with a Hangzhou-based technology company for medical equipment trade, joint ventures, and technology transfers.

The conference attracted over 120 companies from both nations and marked the conclusion of the first series of seven B2B events initiated after the Pakistani Prime Minister’s visit to China in June. Seven more roadshows, focusing on 14 priority sectors, are scheduled to begin next month, offering further opportunities for collaboration.