Surgical instruments on display at Malaysian expo

Pakistan pavilion set up by TDAP and Pakistan’s High Commission.

ISLAMABAD: A wide array of surgical and dental instruments bedecked the Pakistan pavilion at the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM) International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2012. The display managed to interest a large number of visitors and buyers visiting the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, says a press release received here on Wednesday.

The event organised by APHM is featuring nearly 120 booths showcasing the latest technological advances in healthcare by exhibitors from Australia, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and the US. The Pakistani pavilion has been set up jointly by the Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

According to the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan, Pakistan’s exports of surgical goods stood at $225 million in 2009-10. The industry employs about 500,000 workers in 1,000-1,200 small and medium surgical units.

Pakistan mainly exports disposable instruments, which constitute 80% of exports; reusable instruments, which account for 19% of exports; and advanced devices which account for 1% of exports. 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).

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2012.