Chinese healthcare providers expand to Middle East and Southeast Asia

Chinese private healthcare companies are expanding overseas to serve mainland expatriate communities in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where Chinese firms are establishing operations across multiple sectors. Shenzhen-based Distinct Healthcare Holdings plans to open its first clinic in Dubai this year, following earlier expansion into Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The South China Morning Post reported that Philip Wang, chief executive of Distinct Healthcare Holdings, said a wide range of Chinese companies are expanding overseas, setting up local operations and bringing Chinese employees with them. He added that Chinese expatriate workers are often not familiar with local healthcare systems, creating demand for Chinese-run clinics that can bridge language gaps and connect patients with local resources.

Distinct Healthcare raised HK$284.53 million (€33 million) from its initial public offering in Hong Kong last week. Most of its clinics and hospitals operate in top-tier mainland Chinese cities including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Traditional Chinese medicine firms are also capitalising on the trend. Sichuan Neautus Traditional Chinese Medicine has been exporting products to Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia, with plans to use IPO proceeds to build overseas sales channels in Vietnam and Malaysia by 2027.

Jiang Feng, general manager of Sichuan Neautus, which filed an IPO application in Hong Kong in October, said the surge of Chinese firms expanding overseas and bringing their workforce to these regions has helped lift demand for products. He noted that large overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and the region's long-standing familiarity with traditional Chinese medicine have also drawn local customers to TCM products.

Explore the complete report on how Chinese healthcare providers are following mainland business expansion into international markets.