An association for the export of supplies for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been set up in Guangzhou, the first of its kind in Guangdong province.

The association, initiated by the Guangzhou sub-council of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, consists of 27 local companies and organizations, such as Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL).

Guangzhou Xiangxue Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (XPH), a pharmaceutical company in Huangpu district focusing on the development and modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, has seen a rapid growth in overseas orders since the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Wang Yonghui, chairman of XPH, noted that the export volume of anti-virus products has grown by 10 times recently compared with the same period in 2019.

"The export volume of TCM products has grown rapidly, and some customers have even offered to transport products by air and are willing to bear the fees, which was very rare in previous years," said Wang.

"We will inform the member companies of the association about the latest information, such as policies and certification standards for the export of medical supplies," said Yang Yong, director of the Guangzhou sub-council of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.