Taipei, Oct 9, 2006: The Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will organize 2006 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference – Taiwan: Linking You to Asia – that will be held on October 12 at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). One of the special features of this conference will be the focus given to the medical devices industry and its opportunities in Taiwan.

 

Medical electronics and devices are fast becoming the choice for treatment of conditions, such as strokes, diabetes, and epilepsy, which previously could be managed or treated only by drugs. The tremendous breakthrough that came about through the use of electronics to treat such conditions is now possible and preferred in Taiwan and around the world. In addition, as huge part of the world’s population reach the aging stage, demands for the provision of home health care and other medical services for the elderly is also on a rise.

 

In response to consumer requests, Taiwan's governmental bodies, medical research institutes and the private sector have teamed up to develop new alliances that combine their respective areas of expertise, in hopes to set up new standards and horizons that can match up with this fast growing industry's need. The convergence of technologies from areas such as medical devices, medicine, biotechnology, telecommunications, software systems and other professional sectors can develop a pristine system that incorporates an extensive, comprehensive and personalized healthcare management package.

Benefits resulting from this fusion include:

1. Proper medical information. Correct education in medical knowledge can wipe out former clinical misconceptions, decrease sickness, death rates and social health expenses, and further increase the community's standard of living.

2. Comprehensive integration of patients' medical histories. Adequate management of patients' fully integrated medical histories can lower medical mistreatments and increase the accuracy of analyses.

3. Customized health care. Personalized health care management systems can target each patient’s individual needs.

4. Increased progress for the development of new service industries. By implementing the latest technologies and up-to-date information, the service industry can extend to new horizons.

 

Medical device makers are now finding Taiwan as an excellent place for both making products of high quality and having lower costs in production. Taiwan also offers the advantage of excellent intellectual property rights protection.

 

The medical device market of Taiwan, by becoming more and more sophisticated, is one of the most advanced in Asia. With a market value of about US$900 million, Taiwan's medical device market is the 4th largest in Asia. Taiwan also has, in recent years, experienced double-digit growth with US$1.6 billion in revenue in 2004, and is expected to reach US$7 billion by 2010.

 

The morning session of the 2006 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference will feature keynote presentations on "Efficient Ways to Expand your Global Business Map" given by Mr. Edward K. King, Co-Head of M&A Asia Pacific, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, and Hon. Warwick L. Smith, Executive Director, Macquarie Bank.

 

In the afternoon, a special medical devices panel will discuss investment opportunities available in Taiwan’s Medical Devices Industry. Dr. Richard Shau, General Director Medical Electronics and Device Technology Center, from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) will be the moderator of the panel.

 

The first session of the panel discussion will be on "International Collaborative Opportunities for Integrated Medical Solutions and Home Care Services," and the second session will be on "Applications and Opportunities for the Home-diagnostic Medical Device Industry." At least two domestic and three foreign guest speakers from international companies will be the guest panelists for the session.

 

The 2006 Business Alliance Conference is one that professionals, researchers, and businessmen will not want to miss. Taiwan is the place where individuals and organizations involved in the medical devices industry can link to Asia and subsequently to the world.