(Yicai Global) Nov. 2 -- Several Chinese medical institutions are planning to purchase more during the upcoming China International Import Expo than a year ago, some of them revealed to Yicai Global.

Qilu Pharmaceutical will increase its purchasing by over 40 percent from last year, said Luo Yaoqi, who is in charge of the Shandong province-based drug producer's material management center. The six-day CIIE will begin in Shanghai on Nov. 5.

The expanding market is hungry for new products. "Our company is at the stage of quick development and thus has large needs of upstream raw materials," said Luo.

Shopping lists have been crafted carefully in advance. Yunnan Cancer Hospital will focus on high-end medical equipment such as photon and heavy ion radiotherapy, as well as tomotherapy systems this year, with a budget of hundreds of millions of Chinese yuan, said Huang Yunchao, director of the medical institution based in the southwestern province.

Yue Hailong, assistant general manager of Wuhan-headquartered Jointown Medical Devices Group, showed to Yicai Global a shopping list of products made by several firms, including LivaNova, Johnson & Johnson, and Omron.

"China's medical equipment market demand is very large," said Yue. "Since the first CIIE, Jointown has been increasing its purchasing."

Aside from transactions, the expo promotes something intangible. The CIIE gives Jointown the opportunity of promoting supplier communication, said Yue. Face-to-face communication between managers can help build trust, Yue added.

Another firm had similar motives. Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding is likely to further increase buying this year, expecting to sign contracts with various international leading firms in the sector, said Song Lulu, vice GM of a unit of the firm that manufactures and retails drugs.

"The CIIE is a very precious platform, through which Shanghai Pharmaceuticals has further consolidated close cooperation with its suppliers and showed them local enterprises' good development momentum," she said.

A successful event can help overseas suppliers enhance their confidence in the Chinese market, thus increasing input, ensuring stable supply, and speeding up China's access to advanced overseas drugs, Song concluded.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi