Friday 13 November at 9:00AM
Gain practical insights into China's and Hong Kong's healthcare and life sciences sectors, including key opportunities, regulatory considerations, partnership models and market-entry strategies.
What you’ll learn
Description
1.4 billion people. A US$18.9 trillion economy. One of the world's fastest-growing healthcare innovation markets. Discover where the opportunities lie for UK life sciences companies in China and Hong Kong and how to access them.
Rising healthcare expenditure, an ageing population, increasing demand for innovative treatments, and continued investment in biotechnology, medical devices and digital health are creating significant opportunities for UK companies. However, British companies find it hard to understand where to start in a country that is more akin to a continent.
Join the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) to explore the latest opportunities for UK healthcare, medtech and life sciences businesses across China and Hong Kong. The webinar will provide practical insights into market demand, growth sectors, regulatory developments and routes to market.
The session will also examine how Hong Kong's internationally connected business environment, healthcare ecosystem and professional services sector can support market entry and expansion into mainland China. With established links to key innovation hubs such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Hong Kong can provide a valuable platform for partnerships, investment and commercial growth.
Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the China opportunity and the support available from BIST and local partners to help accelerate their export journey.
Speakers
Akoto Agyeman | 艾芷敏
Director of Trade & Investment – Hong Kong and Macao | 貿易及投資總裁 – 香港及澳門, Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade
Akoto was appointed Director of Trade and Investment – Hong Kong and Macao in September 2024. Her responsibilities include supporting UK business to export to both regions, and to support Hong Kong and Macao investors who are looking to grow their international ambitions in the UK across sectors.
Akoto has held a number of roles within the Department for Business Innovation Science & Trade and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and has served both in the UK and overseas.
Before joining the British Consulate-General Hong Kong, Akoto was supporting investors from India and UK exporters doing business in India as the Senior Programme Manager for healthcare and life sciences. Previous roles she has held include as the Senior Advisor - Tax, Access to Bank Accounts and Finance, Political Officer, Head of Press and Public Affairs with responsibility as the GREAT Senior Project Co-ordinator at the British Embassy in Qatar, and most recently as First Secretary and Deputy Head for Investment – South Asia, based in Mumbai, India.
Dr Linda Shu
Director, Head of China Healthcare Research at HSBC
Linda Shu is Head of China Healthcare Research at HSBC and is based at HSBC Qianhai Securities Limited, which she joined in 2022. She leads research coverage of China's healthcare sector, providing market insights and analysis across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare services. Prior to joining HSBC, Linda worked at a Hong Kong-based investment bank, focusing on healthcare equity research. She brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective that combines scientific expertise with financial analysis. Linda holds a BSc in Pharmaceutical Science and a BA in Economics from Peking University, as well as a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Rahul Agarwal
Counsellor for Healthcare & Life Sciences, British Embassy Beijing
Rahul is Counsellor for Healthcare & Life Sciences at the British Embassy Beijing. He leads on UK trade & investment in emerging opportunities between the UK and China & Hong Kong. Previously, he worked for six years in DBT London HQ and has led on multiple programmes and opportunities in promoting business with UK and other countries. Key programmes he has led on include the Genomics, healthy ageing, One Health, Health Systems strengthening, development and formulating the UK Government’s global health framework.
He has over 8 years of management consulting experience. He started his career in Advisory at EY where he worked on a diverse mixture of performance improvement projects for central and local Government. Following this, Rahul pursued a career in the social sector by opening his own social impact consulting practice. Through that he led on multiple transformational and innovation projects for the NHS, UK central government, England local authorities, and the British Council.
Rahul has been working for DBT with in-market experience on Asia Pacific, Africa, LATAM, Middle East and Europe, including engaging bilaterally with governments and business with global companies, as well as with UK business associations.
He holds an MSc in Global Politics from London School of Economics (LSE) and is a fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and On Purpose. Additionally, he is on the Future Leaders Scheme for UK Government and held trustee positions for multiple UK charities.
