GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia’s export of medical devices is expected to hit RM12.5bil this year compared with

RM11.7bil in 2011.

The Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) outgoing chairman Daniel Lim said of the RM12.5bil,

about RM4.5bil worth of devices was expected to be exported by AMMI members.

Speaking at a briefing prior to AMMI AGM, Lim said that AMMI’s 43 members produced RM4.9bil worth

medical device products last year, of which 82% or RM4.3bil was exported and the remainder sold in Malaysia.

“The increase is slight because of the crisis in Europe and also the stronger ringgit.

“The bulk of medical devices produced in Malaysia still belong to Class 1 non-invasive products such as gloves

and Class 2 products, which include semi-invasive devices like cat ethers and critical surgical wear.

“The size of Class 1 medical products produced in Malaysia is getting smaller due to competition from lowlabour-

cost countries, while Class 3 invasive medical devices are gradually being produced more in Penang,” he

said.

Lim added that the medical device market in Asia-Pacific was growing at 9.7% while the rest of the world was

expanding at 7.5%.

“For the domestic market, the value of medical devices consumed is expected to increase to RM5.1bil in 2015

from RM3.6bil in 2010, which reflects a healthy spending for medical devices in the country,” he added.

At the AGM, AMMI voted B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn Bhd general manager Hitenrda Joshi as its new

chairman.

Source:The Star