Singapore, May 6, 2008: “The state of Baden –Wurttemberg is a medical technology hotspot in Germany, with an outstanding research and higher education infrastructure. The state boasts large hospitals and many companies in related high tech sectors. With this on offer the state is a prime location for business operating in medical technology,” said Mr Ernst Pfister, Minister of Economic Affairs, German Federal State of Baden –Wurttemberg.

 

He was speaking at “Healthcare & Biotechnology Symposium” organized by the Agency for International Economic and Scientific Cooperation and the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, A*STAR here today.

 

Baden –Wurttemberg, a federal state of Germany is emerging as a key player in the research and development. It holds a good position in Europe and the world with a research and development budget amounting to more than four percent of its gross domestic product. It can be reflected in the number of patents filed. With around 120 patents for every 100,000 of its inhabitants, Baden –Wurttemberg holds a lead position within Europe.

 

In the field of medical technology, the minister said, “There is no other region in Europe where one can find such a concentration of manufacturers of medical technology products as in Baden –Wurttemberg. These companies supply top quality products such as endoscopy, stethoscopy, units fro minimally invasive surgery, surgical instruments and other specialised and precision instruments for modern medicine all over the world.”

 

“The large number of people employed in this sector. The high sales turnover and the high export share have made the medical technology sector an important growth sector in the vanguard of industry in the state with cutting edge competitiveness in international markets and excellent future perspectives. For Singapore this means that Baden –Wurttemberg would be an excellent partner who could meet its need for high quality medical technology and world class knowledge,” said Mr Ernst Pfister.

 

The symposium provided an ideal platform for Singaporean research institutes, academia, students, companies and government authorities to establish new business contacts and exchange ideas with a delegation of German experts from the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.