Export of medical devices to increase to RM23 bln in 2018

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) expects the export of medical devices to rise between RM22 billion and RM23 billion in 2018, after having attained RM21 billion in the first eleven months of the year. 

Director of lifestyle and life sciences Abu Bakar Yusof said the increase would be partly attributable to MATRADE's participation in the four-day '’Arab Health'’ trade event which began on Jan 28 in Dubai.

“MATRADE is convinced that our presence in trade events such as this will elevate Malaysia’s medical device sector and enable our companies to grow further in years to come,” he said in a statement.

Abu Bakar said a delegation of 19 Malaysian companies are participating in Arab Health, which is the largest healthcare trade event in the Middle East and North African region.

These companies are mainly in the medical devices sector covering medical furniture, infusion and transfusion sets, medical gloves, test kits, medical and healthcare furnishings, disinfectants and airway tunings, he said.

In 2018, MATRADE’s participation in Arab Health successfully generated potential exports of RM367.1 million of Malaysian-made medical devices.

Strong interest for the products emerged from, among others, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Germany, Sweden, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Iraq, Italy, and Saudi Arabia,

The Malaysian companies which participated in last year’s Arab Health successfully realised 410 business meetings, generating 1,029 enquiries and 1,346 business contacts.

With more participants, MATRADE is optimistic of multiplied response and interest towards products offered by Malaysian companies, taking into account the 17.9 per cent increase in the export of medical devices to the Middle East and North African region,” Abu Bakar added.

-- BERNAMA