Fast emerging as a powerful player in the pharmaceutical industry, China is set to become a core part of most global companies' business strategies. With an average growth rate exceeding 25%, China currently exports APIs and products amounting to US$600 million from an annual output of around 800,000 tons.
An educated workforce, culture of entrepreneurialism, low labour and resource costs, favourable government policies, highly skilled workforce, and a growing investment pool all contribute to the growth of China's pharma industry.
As the world's most populous country, the nation offers a vast array of opportunities for overseas investors, complemented by a massive potential workforce and consumer base. It is also a market environment where where generics dominate and the pharmaceutical per capita spend is low.
Currently, valued at USD 4,000 - 4,500 million, API market in China is robust and strong. Though anti - infectives, cardiovasculars, gastrointestinal & metabolism drugs and anti - inflammatory agents steal the show, China's API industry has a presence in almost all segments.
API is China's leading exhibition for the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector covering the complete spectrum of products from raw material, fine chemical, intermediate, ingredients, processing machinery and packaging machinery. It is an event for international buyers to meet Asian sellers especially Chinese ingredients manufacturers.
This year's event, API China 2006, is scheduled to be held at Chengdu from 18-20 May.
Over 1,100 manufacturers are expected to present more than 1,500 APIs and intermediates in the trade show. 32,083 professional visitors from 30 countries have already registered to partake in API China 2006, according to official figures.
The accompanying conference programme is designed to update the visitors on international API market.
Also, there will be an exhibitors' seminar wherein all API China exhibitors are welcome to propose seminar topics. Here anyone can hold lectures, workshop and company presentations.
The 55th edition of API China, held in November 2005, attracted 32,083 professional visitors and 1,101 exhibitors, as per estimates from organizers. The bulk of the exhibitors came from the key provinces of mainland China.
The bi-annual event is organised by the Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions Co. Ltd and Reed Exhibitions. The event is supported by Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China; People's Government of Chengdu Municipality; China Pharmaceutical Industry Association; Sinopharm; China National Pharmaceutical Industry Corporation.