Zhou Hui, President of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, Led a Delegation to Conduct an Inspection and Research Visit to the China–Indonesia Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone.


On September 27, a three-member delegation from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, led by its President Zhou Hui, visited the Cooperation Zone to conduct an inspection and research mission. Accompanied by the head of the Cooperation Zone, the delegation toured the zone’s office building and infrastructure facilities and held a symposium. During the symposium, the head of the Cooperation Zone first expressed gratitude to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products for its attention and support, and expressed the hope that the chamber would continue to pay close attention to, support, and assist the development and construction of the Cooperation Zone. Subsequently, the head of the Cooperation Zone provided the delegation with a detailed briefing on the background of the zone’s development, its current progress and achievements, and the strategic vision for developing Phase II into a “smart” industrial park. President Zhou Hui previously served as the Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia and spent many years working there, giving him an in-depth understanding of the country; he is also a long-time friend of the Cooperation Zone. On this return visit, President Zhou was deeply moved, recalling how he had witnessed the most challenging phase in the zone’s history. Over the past several years, some of the familiar faces from those early days are still here, yet the zone has achieved remarkable new milestones, emerged from its toughest period, and become a prime example of effectively telling the story of the Belt and Road Initiative.

President Zhou Hui stated that China ranks first in the world in pharmaceutical production. Today, while the Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare industry is actively attracting cutting-edge technologies and talent, it also aims to “go global” with its products and industries. Indonesia’s pharmaceutical market is still relatively underdeveloped but holds enormous growth potential. The cooperation zone has already welcomed PT SMART G.I., the first Chinese-invested medical-device company approved by the Indonesian government, and the second-phase plan for the zone includes a dedicated medical-industry cluster, providing both a solid foundation for developing the sector and broad prospects for collaboration. It is hoped that the two sides will have more opportunities for exchange and cooperation in the future.

According to available information, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products is one of the six major import–export chambers under the Ministry of Commerce. It was established on May 22, 1989, by the former Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in accordance with the State Council’s approval and forwarding of the Ministry’s 1988 Plan for Reforming the Foreign Trade System. The chamber’s objective is to build a new foreign-trade system comprising three key components: government administrative oversight, enterprise business operations, and chamber coordination and services. Its primary functions include assisting member enterprises in gaining familiarity with overseas markets, establishing partnerships, identifying collaboration opportunities, and actively participating in the investment and construction of infrastructure and connectivity projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. This fact-finding delegation’s visit to the cooperation zone aims to fully leverage the chamber’s role in promoting trade and business, help member enterprises tap into high-potential national markets, explore opportunities for corporate transformation, and examine ways to advance investment cooperation with relevant countries and industrial parks. (Li Jifeng)