KIMES 2013 Reflects Globalized Nature of Healthcare Industry and Services

The 29th Korea International Medical and Hospital Equipment Show (KIMES 2013; Seoul, Korea) closed after staging another successful event, in the shadow of uncertain economic times worldwide.

The four-day show held during March 21-24, 2013, took place on 37,000 square meters of floor space at the COEX Exhibition Center in Seoul. The exhibition, the largest medical show in Korea, was characterized by strong participation from Korean regional governments, In-depth seminars, and expanded interest from overseas.

KIMES 2013 was sponsored by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Seoul, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Korean Medical Association, Korean Hospital Association, Korean Nurses Association, and others.

KIMES was selected by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy as a “Top 5 Exhibition.” It is worth noting that the Korean Government designated the healthcare industry as one boosting the Korean industry into the future, and provided the blueprint for financial and political support. The Korean government has an expressed aim to “Be a top seven global medical country by 2020.” In 2011, the total R&D for the domestic medical expenditure was KRW 440 billion, split evenly between government and private industry. In 2017, the government plans to double its share of the R&D investment to KRW 440 billion.

The event drew over 68,000 visitors—the largest crowd to date, which including nearly 3,000 buyers from overseas. Among these, the largest contingent came from China and Hong Kong SAR, followed by Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, and Taiwan. Nearly 22% of visitors were MDs and others in allied fields with direct access to patients; more than 16% were traders and dealers in medical equipment, over 12% were manufacturers and engineers, and nearly 5% in healthcare management. Of the lot, an encouraging 10% of the visitors were students.

More than 1,000 companies from 37 countries participated in the exhibition. Notably, 467 form Korea, 101 from the US, 89 from China, 79 from Germany, 59 from Taiwan, and 57 from Japan. Among the exhibitors, 286 displayed disposables and disposable equipment, 240 medical device components and services. Nearly 200 exhibited Physiotherapy equipment, 218 clinical examination, consulting, and diagnosis equipment, 119 surgical equipment, 65 radiology equipment, 51 dental and ophthalmic equipment, 89 hospital and emergency equipment, and 185 cosmetic dermatology equipment. In all, over 30,000 products were displayed. In addition, to increase the interest of the manufacturing companies, a medical device components pavilion was organized.

Concurrently with the exhibition, over 110 well-attended seminars were held at the COEX conference center covering diverse topics of interest to the participants ranging from medical technologies to government policies.

Among the facilities extended to foreign visitors were translation services, free shuttles, and tours of the city and of places of interest.

In a survey, more than 64% of participants rated the exhibition as good and very good, and over 76% of the participants stated that they definitely intend to participate in the next edition of KIMES, which will take place in March 2014.

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