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The participation of the academic and Chinese medicine sectors in certification schemes for Chinese medicine would bring new business opportunities to the testing and certification industry and benefit the trade through enhanced confidence in Chinese medicine in local and overseas markets, said Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong, today (March 29).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Authentication Centre (HKCMAC) of the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University, Miss Wong said Hong Kong's testing and certification industry was well recognised internationally and provided quality and safety assurance for products and services of various local trades, making significant contributions to the economic development of Hong Kong.
She noted that the Institute for the Advancement of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University had been involved in quality certification work in Chinese medicine and established the "A-Mark Quality Chinese Medicines Authentication Scheme" in 2007.
Miss Wong said Hong Kong had long been a trading centre for Chinese medicine. In 2008, the total import and export of Chinese medicine amounted to about $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion respectively.
To further develop the testing and certification industry, one of the six advanced economic areas identified by the Task Force on Economic Challenges, the Government set up the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) in September 2009. In conjunction with the industry, the council is mapping out a market-oriented three-year development plan and will submit its report to the Government soon. The report will make recommendations on increasing the competitiveness of the industry, enhancing promotion on the Mainland and overseas, improving human resources and helping to find business opportunities in potential areas.
Miss Wong said, "I believe with the concerted efforts among the trade, research and development departments in universities, the HKCTC and the Government, testing and certification will develop into an important industry in Hong Kong, and the testing and certification of Chinese medicine carries tremendous potential for development."
Ends/Monday, March 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:50
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