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Guangdong Health Tech Park Woos Investors
The National Health Technology Park (NHTP) in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province is seeking more investment from the Hong Kong pharmaceutical sector.
Located in the National Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone of Zhongshan, the park is designed to be a pharmaceutical development, manufacturing and clinical test base in the mainland which complies with the international medical standards, such as GLP, GMP, GCP and SOP, according to the park administration.
Most of Hong Kong's drug producers find it too costly to meet the GMP standard, which covers the drug producing facilities and process and is a necessary criterion for access to the western drug markets. However, NHTP is offering standard and cost-effective infrastructure, an efficient workforce and financial support from the local government, said Chen Huankun, vice-president of the Zhongshan Health Technology Corp.
The government has allocated about 50 million yuan (US$6.04 million) for the first phase of the construction of the park, which is now under way and covers an area of 300 mu (20 hectares). The whole park measures 13 square kilometres and is jointly planned by AEPA, an American firm, and the China Academy of City Plan and Design.
The government may also assist firms in the park facing financial difficulty with the part of the value-added tax kept by the local government, Chen said.
A number of drug firms, including four from France, Germany, the US and Hong Kong, have decided to set up plants in the park. Several Hong Kong firms are working on their plans for the park. Some Hong Kong medical associations have expressed interest in the park, Chen said.
Next month, NHTP will hold a seminar in Hong Kong on bio-engineering and pharmaceutical development in China. The seminar, which will also be attended by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, will discuss related government policies, collaboration with national pharmaceutical, health, science and technology sectors, Chen said.
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