With Markus Fehr, the GHA – German Health Alliance was able to win a proven China expert as China representative. The fluent Chinese speaking economist has a great deal of China expertise from which the GHA members who are active in the Chinese market or would like to become active can benefit greatly. “I see my particular strength in my understanding of the Chinese situation, legal situation and thought patterns, as well as my networks in the healthcare sector and in politics. My goal is to offer GHA members a platform in China,” says Fehr, describing the support he can provide to GHA members.
As a GHA representative, Fehr aims to help GHA members gain access to decision-makers from all sectors of the health sector (public and private health industry, academia, academies at national, provincial and city level) in China. He can also facilitate the exchange with ministries, embassies and foreign missions, e.g. AHK, GTAI, EU, as well as Chinese institutions such as Chinese Hospital Association, Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, Chinese Association for Rehabilitation Medicine.
Early knowledge of projects helpful
Especially the exchange of early information on concrete projects in biotechnology, health economics and development can be of great interest for GHA members, such as planned new hospital buildings or special units like Comprehensive Cancer Ctr., high-level Diagnostic Units etc., scientifically oriented support programs, introduction and development of new medical and biotechnological procedures or the exchange between scientists and technicians.
The creation and utilization of platforms in China for German companies to introduce, register and distribute new products and technologies with political and financial government support is another idea Fehr has as GHA representative. As an example, he mentions a conference with Bo’ao, Lecheng City, Hainan Province (which has just been granted free port status by the State Council) in Berlin, “where our members can exchange ideas and establish contacts directly with government decision-makers on the issues of placing products on the market without prior cFDA registration, duty-free import to Hainan and fast pace registration”.
Fehr gained his more than 30 years of experience during his work in and with China for various German companies and joint ventures, including as founder and co-founder of blucon, BIORATA smartfiber, KTQ and BETENIO and the EC Healthcare Investment Fund in China and Hong Kong. He was also a founding member when the German-Sino Healthcare Group (GSHCG) was founded in 2006.
As head of a working group of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Fehr is working to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Germany and China in the medical industry and biotechnology and to create fair conditions for German companies and healthcare institutions.
A meeting of the Medical Industry and Biotechnology Working Group within the framework of the next German-Chinese Forum for Technological Cooperation is currently being prepared. “My aim here is to provide a platform for GHA members and, in the sub-working groups, to sound out opportunities for cooperation, address any problems that may arise and find solutions, decide on German-Chinese cooperation projects and implement them at national level with political support,” explains Fehr.
Especially the fact that Fehr lives half in Germany and half in China allows him to gain deep insights into the developments and needs of both worlds. He can identify opportunities and implement them to the mutual benefit of all.
“In all our activities, including the establishment of Germany as a trading partner and the establishment of German companies in China, we have always demanded a level playing field and reciprocity. In other words, we strive to achieve fair conditions and more transparency in decisions on cooperation agreements for the benefit of all parties and not least for the benefit of Chinese patients,” emphasizes Fehr.
As a concrete example of cooperation with GHA members, Fehr points to the platforms created by the former GSHCG in Hangzhou (East China Office of GSHCG-GHA) and Hainan, which are used by GHA members, have received strong government support and have already led to synergy effects and lively exchange among the members involved.
“GHA’s end-to-end presence in China, our networks and our Chinese staff in Beijing and Hangzhou ensure that enquiries can be handled quickly and competently,” says Fehr.