President Chen Shui-bian's Remarks at the 19th Taipei International Show on Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, and Bio-technology
(MEDIPHAR Taipei 2007)
Office of the President
Republic of China (Taiwan)
November 8, 2007
Premier Chang, Health Minister Hou, Dr. Lin - President of the Formosan Medical Association, Mr. Chao - President of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Mr. Chen - Chairman of the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association, and Mr. Huang - Chairman of the Taiwan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's Association, Distinguished Guests, Friends from the Media:
Good morning to you all!
It is a great pleasure to have been invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Taipei International Show on Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, and Bio-technology.
To all exhibitors and distinguished guests, on behalf of the government and the 23 million people of Taiwan: Welcome! I hope this exhibition will strengthen cooperation and exchange between government, industry, academia, and the medical community and, therefore, increase development in the biomedical industry.
Entering its 19th year, MEDIPHAR Taipei is the largest show of its kind in Taiwan and a key international exhibition. Last year, it attracted more than 60,000 local visitors and 608 buyers from 46 countries. This year, the number of visitors is expected to rise, and, as of the end of October, 260 buyers from 56 countries had registered for the exhibition. MEDIPHAR's popularity attests to the strength of our medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries.
Research indicates that due to aging societies, in the future, the market for medical equipment worldwide will expand rapidly. In Taiwan, total market volume for medical devices is also expected to rise, from US$164.3 billion in 2006 to US$201.6 billion in 2010. The value of exports of medical equipment leaving Taiwan will reach NT$29.5 billion by the end of this year, a 10.1 percent increase over 2006, while the volume of imports will reach NT$39.4 billion, a 5.4 percent rise. The total volume of Taiwan's medical equipment market this year is expected to be NT$64 billion. I am certain at MEDIPHAR Taipei 2007 we will see real contribution to the growth of the industry and the creation of fruitful business opportunities.
The government is committed to meeting the needs of the industry and enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness internationally. With government and industry promotion, investment in biotech and pharmaceutical industries has continued to increase in recent years. As of the end of last year, the sales volume of the biotech industry in Taiwan reached NT$179.1 billion, with the medical equipment industry accounting for the largest share of that at NT$69.7 billion. In the pharmaceutical industry, sales reached NT$66 billion, and in the innovative biotech industries, they were NT$43.4 billion last year. All these industries continue to grow.
The government is dedicated to developing and promoting biotechnology in Taiwan, and has implemented such projects as the National Science and Technology Program (NSTP) for Agricultural Biotechnology, the NSTP for Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, the National Research Program for Genomic Medicine, and, in part, the NSTP for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Over the past several years, we have been working to build Taiwan into a centre for genomic medical research and clinical trials in Asia with the Biomedical Technology Island Plan. With this, we hope to use Taiwan's strength in electronics manufacturing, IT, and clinical research to raise standards and performance in biomedical technology and clinical trials.
In closing, I would like to thank the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association, the Taiwan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's Association, the Taiwan Bio Industry Organization, and other agencies for your contributions to the development of Taiwan's biomedical industry over the years. I would also like to thank TAITRA and the Formosan Medical Association, the organizers of this event. I wish this exhibition every success and all distinguished guests health and happiness. Thank you!