German joint venture Fresenius Kabi Bidiphar Co, a market leader in infusion therapy and clinical nutrition, opened a new plant in Quy Nhon City , the central province of Binh Dinh , on Sept. 26.

The 15,000sq.m plant, which was two years in the construction, cost 340 billion VND (16.5 million USD) and replaces German firm Fresenius Kabi's existing production facility in Quy Nhon.

It allows the company to almost double its manufacturing capacity for infusion solutions and liquid medications, mostly meant for the Vietnamese market.

German Minister of State Cornelia Pieper highlighted the plant's role in German-Vietnamese relations: "I am pleased to see that Fresenius Kabi has opened a new plant in Quy Nhon. Direct investments such as these benefit both Germany and Vietnam . And they serve to secure jobs in both countries as well.

Nearly 380 employees will work at the facility.

The manufacture of infusion solutions has already received a GMP (good manufacturing practice) certificate based on guidelines set down by the World Health Organisation.

Fresenius Kabi of Germany holds 51 percent in the JV, Bidiphar, a State-owned health care company based in Quy Nhon, owns 20 percent, and others account for the 29 percent.

Jan Walter, managing director of Fresenius Kabi for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for the last three years, said sales in Vietnam have grown at more than 20 percent annually./.