9-member Pak delegation arrives in Malaysia to attend healthcare moot

Kuala Lumpur:A nine-member delegation of surgical/dental instruments exporters of Pakistan arrived in Kuala Lumpur today (Thursday) to attend APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2012 being held from 17-19 July 2012 in the Malaysian capital.

The three-day event being organized by Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) would feature 120 booths showcasing the latest technological advances in healthcare by exhibitors from Australia, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and USA.

During its stay in Malaysia, the Pakistani delegation would also hold meetings with key stakeholders, including the Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DPMM), Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), Malaysia Islamic Chamber of Commerce (DPIM), Medical Devices Bureau, Ministry of Health, Government of Malaysia to explore possibilities for the export of surgical/ dental instruments from Pakistan.

During the visit, the delegation is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Mr. Amiruddin Abdul Sattar, Chief Operating Officer of KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Mr. Aminuddin Awang, Director of Pantai Holdings Berhad, YB Hj Abdul Malik Kassim, State Minister for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, State Government of Penang, and Dato’ Hj Abdul Rafique Karim, Honorary Counsel General of Pakistan to Penang.

Besides meeting the key government officials, the delegation is also slated to visit leading local hospitals, including the Tawakkal Hospital and the Gleneagles Hospital, besides a visit to Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone in the state of Penang.

It may be added that the world market for Surgical Instruments is over US$30 billion. According to the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP), Pakistan’s exports stand at US$225 million (2009-10) while the total capital investment in the surgical industry is estimated at Rs.20 billion. There are about 1000 to 1200 active small and medium surgical units with labour force ranging from (10-500). The number of workers in the surgical industry is about 500,000. The industry manufactures about 110 million instruments annually.

Pakistan mainly exports two types of surgical instruments, including the disposable instruments which constitute 80% of exports; reusable instruments which account for 19% of exports; and advanced devices which are 1% of the exports. The leading buyers of Pakistani surgical instruments are United States (US$57 million), Germany (US$34 million), United Kingdom (US$24 million), France (US$11 million), Brazil (US$8 million), Italy (US$7 million), Japan (US$6 million), Australia (US$5 million), UAE (US$5 million) and Mexico (US$4 million).