Mar 18 2008 |
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Ociped at healthcare event to boost pharma exports
MUSCAT -- Over 120 Asian healthcare companies explored new business partnerships as part of a healthcare conference and trade fair in Kuala Lumpur, which aims to boost the region's access to medicines and seek regional trade opportunities in a market worth $13 billion a year. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and the Geneva-based International Trade Centre organised "Asia Healthcare 2008" between March 10 and 12 at the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre.In order to boost pharmaceutical exports, Ociped along with Oman Pharmaceutical Products Co and National Pharmaceutical Industries Co participated in the event. The three-day event was designed to encourage more trade in natural medicines and pharmaceutical products among small and medium-sized Asian firms. More than 100 enterprises from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the summit besides some 50 Malaysian companies, trade associations and government agencies.
ITC had arranged one-to-one buyer-seller meetings between Malaysian and non-Malaysian firms. Business negotiations covered joint sourcing, complementary production, concerted marketing, exchange of know-how and improved operational performance. "This summit helped highlight the Sultanate's production potential in pharmaceuticals and the interesting avenues opening up in this area for South-South trade and co-operation," said Faris Nasser al Farsi, Acting Director General of Export Development of Ociped .
South-South trade is currently insignificant when compared to global trade as a whole, and South-South trade opportunities are often overlooked. Giving Asian healthcare companies the opportunity to link across national borders opens new avenues for growth. Fast-rising population and strong economic growth over much of Asia are fuelling regional demand for low-cost drugs and traditional medicines. The 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has identified healthcare as a priority sector to accelerate regional integration because of Asia's strong comparative advantages in natural resources, labour skills and cost competitiveness.
ITC, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation, has a mandate to help businesses in poorer countries, particularly smaller enterprises, become more competitive on export markets to speed economic progress and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Asia faces a big challenge in meeting the development targets, several of which are health-related, because of continuing widespread poverty and the prevalence of preventable diseases such as malaria.
Emaad al Shukeily, Marketing Researcher of Ociped who participated in the event along with representatives from National Pharmaceuticals and Oman Pharmaceuticals, said that the first day of the meeting held on March 10 was dedicated to a seminar on issues such as rules and regulations governing trade in pharmaceuticals and intellectual property rights, biotechnologies and quality assurance and safety in drug production. Matchmaking meetings were held on March 11 and 12 during which the Omani pharma companies met over 20 prospective customers for the products manufactured by them.
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