Photo: Cubadebate

Cuba and China have signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing for the creation of joint enterprises linked to the healthcare sector, specifically the production of world renowned Cuban-developed pharmaceuticals.

The agreement was signed by Eduardo Martínez, president of the BioCubaFarma group and Huang Lianshen head of Guang Xi Fukang Investment, at the Cuban embassy in Beijing.

According to Martínez - leading a delegation of BioCubaFarma representatives to China, in order to continue strengthening over 15 years of bilateral cooperation in the field of biotechnology - the memorandum is broad and provides for the creation of joint enterprises on the island and in China to produce an important group of new patented Cuban medicines “to resolve important health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases,” he noted.

The Cuban official went on to highlight that the document sets out the bases for strategic cooperation with Guang Xi Fukang Investment over the short, medium, and long term, with the aim of introducing Cuban medicines in to the Chinese market, as well as Latin America and other regions around the world.

The facilities will be based in the Mariel Special Development Zone, located in the island’s western region, and contribute to stimulating direct foreign investment, explained Martínez.

Meanwhile, Huang emphasized the great social and economic benefits of the initiative for both countries, as well as the demand for Cuban-developed medicines in his country. He also stated that such collaboration will help to raise the profile and stimulate Cuba’s pharmaceutical industry.

(With information from ACN)