Merck strengthens commitment to Chinese growth market

Germany’s Merck KGaA (MRK: DE), a leading company for high-tech products in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, today reiterated its commitment to investments in the Chinese market, strengthening a major pillar of its emerging markets growth strategy.

In total, Merck has committed more than 100 million euros ($135 million) to investments in China over that past three years. Merck's sales in the region, including China, increased 9% to nearly 3.8 billion euros ($5.13 billion) last year, contributing 36% to group total sales of 10.7 billion euros in 2013.

"China is of strategic importance to Merck," said Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of the executive board. "Together with government officials, customers, partners and our highly motivated local colleagues, we will explore ways to further address critical health care needs of the Chinese population - both with our high-quality drugs and our life science tools for biopharmaceutical R&D. We're also meeting with customers in the display industry to continue our constant dialogue about innovative solutions to meet the needs of the ever-changing high-tech market," he added.