Africa over the past 16 years .
The company now consists of four business units ; pharmaceuticals , medical supplies , lifecare and general trading . The first comprised a large portion of the company ’ s early successes , relying on key partnerships in India and the Middle East to provide as many market-leading products as possible to Ethiopia .
The aim now , however , is to capitalise on Ethiopia ’ s general economic growth and to become the hub for manufacturing and distribution locally .
To aid this slow , but concerted transition away from imports , Medtech Ethiopia has recently embarked on a joint venture with one of the UAE ’ s giant pharmaceutical companies , Julphar , as Dr . Nuri explained : “ We signed an exclusive agreement with Julphar 12 years back , registering certain products from this company , and in 2012 we signed a joint venture agreement with them on a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing factory here in Ethiopia called Julphar Ethiopia PLC .
“ This factory was inaugurated by our Prime Minister and has received big public approval .”
With three production lines and 100 employees introduced as a result of the venture , the immediate success of the partnership has subsequently led to a further proposal which will see Julphar Ethiopia open up the country ’ s first insulin factory .
Work will begin on the factory by 2015 which ,
“ From five staff members in a three room office , with capital of $ 50,000 , we have now registered more than 300 products from more than 20 global suppliers . We are ISO certified and one of the top pharmaceutical companies in Ethiopia ”
- Dr Mohammed Nuri , Chief Executive Officer , Medtech Ethiopia
www . medtechethiopiaplc . com 59