ISLAMABAD - A nine-member delegation of surgical/dental instrument exporters of Pakistan would attend APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2012 being held from 17-19 July 2012 in Malaysian capital.

The three-day event being organised 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 stay in Malaysia, Pakistani delegation would also hold meetings with key stakeholders including 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 visit, delegation is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Amiruddin Abdul Sattar, Chief Operating Officer of KPJ Healthcare Bhd, 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 Consul-General of Pakistan to Penang. 
Besides meeting with key government officials, the delegation is also planned 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 $30b. According to the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SIMAP), Pakistan’s exports stand at $225m(2009-10) while the total capital investment in the surgical industry is estimated at Rs 20b. There are about 1000 to 1200 active small and medium surgical units. 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 disposable instruments which constitute 80pc; reusable instruments which account for 19pc and advanced devices which are 1pc of the exports.

The leading buyers of Pakistani surgical instruments are United States ($57 million), Germany ($34 million), United Kingdom ($24 million), France ($11 million), Brazil ($8 million), Italy ($7 million), Japan ($6 million), Australia ($5 million), UAE ($5 million) and Mexico ($4 million).