Venezuela, China ink $127m surgical equipment deal

Venezuela has signed a deal for the purchase of 127 million U.S. dollars worth of surgical equipment from China, an official said Tuesday.

Venezuela's Deputy Minister of Technology, Inputs and Regulation Aurelio Tosta said the deal was signed by Health Minister Francisco Armada at a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador in Caracas Zhao Rongxian.

Tosta stressed the importance of the deal, saying it will provide more than 100 different types of medical equipment for Venezuela's various treatment centers.

The equipment include surgical gloves, stitching needles, cannulas, serum, syringes and other items needed for surgery.

Venezuela and China have maintained close cooperation through the Binational Cooperation Fund, which finances projects in the South American nation in the areas of social development, technology, health, technical assistance and energy.