CPhI China 2002, a specialized exhibition on pharmaceutical ingredients, kicked off yesterday at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center.

The three-day event will focus on pharmaceutical ingredients, chemicals, intermediates and related services.

The exhibition is co-organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Medicines & Health Products Importers and Exporters and CMP Information, a subsidiary of the UK-based United Business Media.

The exhibition aims to boost trade of pharmaceutical ingredients among countries and propel the development of domestic producers.

"CPhI will play an important role in promoting domestic pharmaceutical products and producers and expanding the country's export of pharmaceuticals," said Wei Jianguo, vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation.

China is the second largest producer of pharmaceutical ingredients, with an annual production of 430,000 tons. The country exported 389,000 tons of pharmaceutical ingredients to the overseas market, mainly to the European Union and the United States last year.

CPhI Worldwide has been successfully held in Europe for the past 12 years. It was introduced to China last year because of the huge business opportunities in China and national and international market demands, said Annet Braakman, CMP project director.

The trading volume at last year's exhibition was estimated at US$60.7 million. The transaction is expected to be bigger this year.

"This specialized exhibition is a platform for domestic pharmaceutical enterprises to establish their brands, promote their products in the global market and exchange information with overseas co-operators," said Li Xianbo, a domestic exhibitor from the North China Pharmaceutical Group.

( China Daily June 4, 2002)