MPIC Government of Malaysia and Ministry of : GENERAL : TPPA to provide wider access for 'Made-in-Malaysia' medical devices

The Edge

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/tppa-provide-wider-access-made-malaysia-medical-devices

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Another trade association, the Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI), has come up in support of the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPPA), saying the trade pact will provide wider access for 'Made-in-Malaysia' medical devices into TPPA countries, particularly the US.

In a statement today, AMMI said the medical device industry in Malaysia is dominated by both multinational corporations and large local companies engaged in the production of surgical gloves, surgical instruments, intravenous catheters, contraceptives, and other medical disposables.

'Exports of medical devices by AMMI member companies continue to register double-digit growth. With this trend set to continue, Malaysia is moving up the value chain in the production of medical devices,' said the association.

High value medical devices manufactured in Malaysia include orthopaedic products, dialysers, surgical implants, medical electrodes, diagnostic radiographic equipment, pacemakers, defibrillators and ophthalmic lenses, it noted.

The medical device industry has been identified under the 11th Malaysia Plan as one of the high potential growth industries and plays a critical role in strengthening the healthcare landscape of this country, it added.

'The reliability of 'Made-in-Malaysia' medical devices are being recognised worldwide and this has resulted in a 13% increase in total exports, from RM11.9 billion in 2013 to RM13.5 billion in 2014.

'In the context of exports, AMMI believes that [the] TPPA will enable medical device manufacturers located in Malaysia to further grow their exports to TPPA countries and for Malaysia to attract more foreign direct investment in medical device manufacturing,' said the association.