Market Reports
Source: http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ukti/biotechnology
ARGENTINA
The UK is the sixth largest investor in Argentina, investing over USD 2 billion in the last three years. In 2008 UK exports to Argentina (£295m) were up 30% on 2007 and UK imports (£532m) up by 24%, with bilateral trade exceeding £800m.
UK companies continue to have an important stake in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and the agribusiness. click for healthcare fast facts and agribio fast facts. Following the 2002 economic crisis, Argentina´s growth rate over the past five years has been over 8.5% year on year. Even in 2008, when the first effects of the international crisis were felt, Argentina grew by approximately 6%.
BRAZIL
CANADA
Canadian biotechnology companies include human health 57%, agriculture and food processing 24%, and the remainder in environment, bioinformatics, aquaculture and natural resources5. Factors contributing to growth include a strong research base, financial support, regulatory framework, human resources, national and regional organisations, and public acceptance of products. The majority of Canadian biotechnology firms are SMEs with fewer than 50 employees.
CHINA
China is the great economic success story of the past quarter-century. GDP growth has averaged at more than 9% per year during this period with an estimate of 10.4% recorded for 2007. Despite slowing in 2008, China's economy continues to expand and develop, and the demand for energy resources, infrastructure, technology and goods and services is growing exponentially.
The Biotechnology sector in East China
The Chinese biotechnology market is split between local generic companies, who operate on tight margins; domestic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) companies; and multinational biotechnology companies. Leading CROs have also been riding on the wave of multinational demand and venture capital interest. As well as hosting their regional HQs, a number of biotechnology multinationals are currently establishing major R&D centres in Shanghai. Main reasons for this are the global size and projected growth of the domestic pharmaceutical market, trying to speed market entry for new drugs to maximise return on patents through increased early stage research, availability of top talent, and the possibility of tailoring drugs to local needs.
INDONESIA
NORWAY
Norway is one of five countries collectively known as ¨The Nordic Region¨. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland have close ties, historically and economically. All are individualistic however and should be evaluated separately by exporting companies as well as considering the many similarities.
Norway shares borders with two of the Nordic countries; Sweden and Finland, and with Russia. The Norwegian language is similar to Danish and Swedish and understandable to all three nationalities. Norway, like Iceland, remains outside the EU, though as members of the EEA (European Economic Area) they acknowledge the same trading codes of practise as the EU. Exporters will therefore find Norway an easy trading partner. Norwegians are direct and forthright, easy to approach and most speak English fluently.
Norway is a wealthy, modern European country with a population in 2008 of 4,801,100 (Statistics Norway). Much of her present wealth comes from oil and gas revenues, but farmed fish, shipping, engineering and environmental technology are also important export industries. Norway is reliant on import of cars and machinery, consumer goods including clothing and foodstuffs.
Following a ten year period of rapid growth the economy of Norway is facing an uncertain downturn. The world-wide financial crisis will increasingly effect Norway and has already had an impact on the building and housing markets in particular Nevertheless Norway is much better placed than many other nations to weather the storm. The Bank of Norway has lowered interest rates to 2.50% (January 2009) to stimulate the economy. The Norwegian government has in February 2009 proposed bank credit guarantees to the tune of NOK100 billion. Previously the government has agreed measures to mitigate increased unemployment by hugely increasing public funding for maintenance and renovation of municipal buildings including nursing homes, hospitals, schools, universities, sports facilities and cultural centres. In addition the government has proposed a NOK3.2 uplift to the transport budget for 2009 allowing for increased road and rail maintenance.
SOUTH AFRICA
SWITZERLAND
The Swiss biotechnology industry has an annual turnover of over CHF 8bn (approximately £4.7bn) and employs nearly 17,000 people, more than a third of the European industry total. Swiss biotech company revenues account for 40% of the European total. In 2007 Switzerland counted 220 companies, the highest density per capita worldwide. Of this total, 70% are biotech developers and the remainder supply the core industry. The majority of Swiss biotechs were founded before 2001. Ernst & Young state that despite the financial crisis, Swiss biotech is booming.
