Pharmaceutical Industry Saw High Growth    

The National Development and Reform Commission disclosed on January 26th that China's pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry achieved a total production value of RMB940.3 billion in 2009, up 21% over 2008. The production value in December alone was RMB98.29 billion, increasing 27.93% over the year-ago period. The December production accounted for 10.45% of the year's total.
   By regions, the production value of Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces ranked the first three, with a combined production of RMB310 billion in 2009, accounting for 33% of the industry's total.
   China exported RMB75.57 billion (counting on ex-factory price, excluding freight to port) of pharmaceuticals in 2009, up 6.84% over 2008. The number for December alone was RMB7.89 billion, an increase of 34.5% over one year earlier.
   Both the production and exports data stated that the recovery performed well in the second half.
   The medical equipment and instruments manufacturing industry reported a total production value of RMB437.23 billion in 2009, up 10.09% year over year. The value in December was RMB50.95 billion, up 26.45%. The exports accumulated to RMB89.4 billion, down 10.2%.