KOTRA Partners with Zhongyu Medical to Expand Exports of K Medical Devices

Local Shangyu Medical Medical Device Export Exhibition and Consultation Meeting

#1. Small and medium-sized enterprise A, which manufactures pain treatment medical devices, faced difficulties entering the Chinese market due to lack of export experience and challenges in obtaining certification. KOTRA Zhengzhou Trade Center supported all stages from buyer consultation to certification and logistics. A successfully exported to China for the first time in August this year.

#2. While contacting global buyers and suppliers of medical devices in China, KOTRA learned of an import plan for brain stimulation rehabilitation medical devices. They promptly connected with Korean SME B, which manufactures the product. KOTRA Zhengzhou Trade Center deployed medical device specialists to assist with product specification translation and customs procedures. In October this year, B signed a supply contract worth 2.7 million USD with the buyer and began exporting to China.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA announced on the 1st that they held the "Xiangyu Medical Medical Device Export Exhibition and Consultation" for two days starting from the 30th of last month in Anyang City, Henan Province, China. This event was organized to support the export of Korean medical devices to China by connecting Korean SMEs with excellent medical devices and Xiangyu Medical and its partner companies.

Founded in 2002, Xiangyu Medical in Henan Province is a leading Chinese medical device company. It supplies over 600 types of rehabilitation medical devices to hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and welfare institutions across China. Partnering with Xiangyu Medical allows for mass export of medical devices through its nationwide sales network, which generated great interest among domestic SMEs for this event.

At the "Xiangyu Medical Device Exhibition and Consultation" held on the 30th in Anyang, Henan Province, China, our medical device company is conducting export consultations with Xiangyu Medical and its partner companies. Photo by KOTRA

This year’s exhibition and consultation were co-hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan and KOTRA Zhengzhou Trade Center. Sixteen Korean SMEs participated, conducting one-on-one export consultations with Xiangyu Medical’s purchasing managers and operating product promotion booths. Ten pre-registered companies held new product presentations for 200 vendors from across China affiliated with Xiangyu Medical.

A purchasing official from Xiangyu Medical who participated in the consultation said, "Seeing the products firsthand and hearing explanations helped us understand why Korean medical devices are globally recognized for their safety and excellence." He added, "As Chinese consumers’ incomes rise and health awareness increases, demand for Korean medical devices featuring new functions is steadily growing."

However, the official noted, "Based on many years of overseas medical device procurement experience, the biggest obstacle for Korean SMEs entering the Chinese market is the certification process." He added, "Until certification issues are resolved, we are also considering imports through various methods such as semi-assembled or local production."

Additionally, the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) participated in the event, operating a testing and certification consultation booth to help Korean companies quickly understand and respond to medical device certification requirements demanded by the Chinese market. Even after the event, KTL plans to support testing and certification for medical devices that Korean companies wish to export, which is expected to reduce costs and time associated with certification.

At the opening ceremony of the 'Xiangyu Medical Device Exhibition and Consultation' held on the 30th in Anyang, Henan Province, China, Ha Seong-ju, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan, delivered a congratulatory speech. Photo by KOTRA

Consul General Ha said at the opening ceremony, "This event is an important opportunity to widely promote the excellence of Korean medical devices in the Chinese market and strengthen the economic cooperation foundation between the two countries." He added, "We hope Korean companies achieve success in the Chinese market through this opportunity."

Director Hwang stated, "China’s medical device market is rapidly growing, and local recognition of the excellence of Korean products is increasing." He added, "We will continue to strengthen support to ensure stable supply of our medical devices throughout China by cooperating with influential local partners."

KOTRA plans various follow-up measures to further expand the presence of Korean medical devices in the Chinese market through this event. In partnership with KTL, it will provide information on medical device certification and the latest regulatory changes, and establish a permanent consultation channel with local partners to support Korean SMEs’ stable entry into the Chinese market.