A prominent Chinese biotech firm has shown interest in establishing a factory in Cambodia for medical devices and diagnostic equipment to serve the regional markets.

Li Laiqing, director-general of Guangzhou Youdi Biotechnology Co Ltd, discussed potential investment with Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), during a December 4 meeting at the CDC headquarters in Phnom Penh.

The discussions focused on the proposed medical factory, which aims to cater to the Cambodian and regional markets. It also touched upon the company’s intention to explore the creation of a medical industrial zone encompassing medical material production, an innovative research facility, a hospital and a clinic.

Nuth Sambath, president of the Institute of Medicine, Biology and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the project would be a significant achievement for Cambodia, as the country currently lacks such manufacturing facilities. 

“There are no medical factories in Cambodia yet; we have only had foreign investment projects in large hospitals,” he said. 

“Therefore, in my opinion, if this project is successful, it will be beneficial, as we have been importing all medical materials to Cambodia. These materials, both new and second-hand, have been costly. I expect the project will take shape soon,” he added.

Established in 2010, Youdi Biotechnology is an advanced medical enterprise specialising in developing, producing and distributing pharmaceutical raw materials, medical production substances and diagnostic technology. The company encompasses research, development, production, distribution and scientific research services related to medicine and diagnostic equipment, as per the CDC.