FILE PHOTO: A lab technician works on investigational coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug "Remdesivir" at Eva Pharma Facility in Cairo, Egypt June 25, 2020. REUTERS
The Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement (EAUP), the country's drug supply body, intends to set up a number of new warehouses for storing medical supplies that would give Egypt the world's fifth largest storage capacity for medicines and vaccines, according to EAUP head Bahaa Zidan.
He added that the project, which supports the national strategy to bolster local pharmaceutical industry, aims to turn the country into a regional hub for supplying medicines and vaccines to those who need them.
Ziadan's remarks were made during a meeting with Prime Minister Mosatafa Madbouly on Wednesday, which was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Cairo Liao Liqiang, the vice president of the Chinese Family Planning Association (CFPA), and others.
The meeting came on the back of the donation of $100,000 worth of medical supplies the CFPA made to Egypt to help fight the coronavirus, a cabinet statement said.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Egypt has sent several shipments of supplies and medical aid to some of the world’s worst-stricken countries, including China, the UK and Italy.
"Egypt's support is appreciated by the Chinese leadership and people," the statement quoted Liqiang as saying during the meeting.
Zidan also discussed with the Chinese ambassador and Minister Counselor of Commercial Affairs at the Chinese embassy Hang Bing the latest developments in China’s work to produce a vaccine and rapid detection kits, in addition to the possibility of Egypt's participation in the Chinese project given the Egyptian manufacturing and logistical capabilities.
The Egypain and Chinese parties have agreed to hold a meeting soon to activate cooperation plans in this respect, the statement added.
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