Medical Fair Asia and Medical Manufacturing Asia 2018 saw their largest editions this year bringing in a combined total of over 20,000 trade visitors across their three days.
Medical Manufacturing Asia
The two shows hosted over 1,220 exhibitors and visitors from over 72 countries came to experience the medtech offerings across the show floor. And whilst 40% of visitors came from outside of Singapore, the majority were from Asia with neighbouring ASEAN countries being particularly well represented.
The positive growth outlook of the industry was reflected by the number of products being showcased at the exhibition. Indeed, the 10,000 products on the show floor represented the entire end-to-end value chain from medical manufacturing processes and machinery, to finished products and components.
First-time visitor and medicine practitioner, Dr Chew Wei Lun, commented on the number of offerings at the show, saying: “I was impressed by the breadth of products on show and the wide internationality of exhibitors. In fact, I even learned more about the rehabilitative products which I was on the lookout for.”
Medical Fair Asia hosted a total of 23 national pavilions and country groups, consisting of its strongest line-up yet. One exhibitor at the Russian Pavilion, the Shvabe Group who specialises in the manufacture of optical and medical equipment, was very pleased with the show.
Managing director and chairman, John T.C. McGough, said: “Asia is the future, and this is where growth will be in the next decade. Singapore — with its strategic locale — is the gateway to the region, and we will definitely be back in 2020 with a bigger booth.”
The new Community Care zone turned out to be the perfect spot for first time participant, Free Bionics Group, head of business development Ms Huang Tinlan, explained: “Through this exhibition, we made new contacts, including doctors and therapists from rehabilitation centres as well as neurological departments from Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Tan Tock Seng and Sengkang General Hospitals. The event was a good platform to present our products and we will definitely be back in 2020.”
Both digital health solutions and new technology turned out to be big draws at the exhibitions, with the Start-up park receiving much interest by young companies looking to pitch to decision makers and seeking potential investors.
Over at Medical Manufacturing Asia, the show’s opening speech by Dr Koh Poh Koon, senior minister of state for trade and industry underlined the new approaches to innovation taking place within the industry. He emphasised the growing trend of medical technology companies moving up the value chain and the need for new approaches and greater collaboration.
At both shows, a series of industry-focused conferences, seminars and workshops covered a wide-range of topics including sports medicine, wearable technologies, robotic surgery, community care and medtech, attracting 700 international attendees.
Speaking about the co-located shows, Christophe Marque, chairman of the association of Malaysian Medical Industries, said: “The exhibition was vibrant with a lot of interaction seen between exhibitors and visitors on the show floors. It is trade exhibitions like these that value-add the industry as they pave the way for people to meet and discuss business.”
The next editions of the co-located exhibitions will take place from 9-11 September 2020 at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.