SPEECH BY MR S. ISWARAN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF HOSPIMEDICA ASIA 2006 AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (OS&H) 2006 ON 10 OCTOBER 2006 AT 9:30 AM AT SUNTEC SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBTION AND CONVENTION CENTRE

Good Morning Ambassadors,

Distinguished guests from the diplomatic corps,

Mr. Gernot Ringling, Managing Director of Messe Dusseldorf, ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

I am pleased to be here at the opening of HOSPIMedica Asia 2006 and its accompanying event, Occupational Safety and Health Asia 2006.

Since its launch in Singapore in 1997, HOSPIMedica Asia has grown from strength to strength. I would like to extend my congratulations to the organiser, Messe Dusseldorf, for establishing the event as a key healthcare and medical-related trade exhibition in Singapore and the largest healthcare exhibition in South-East Asia. This year’s edition of HOSPIMedica Asia is projected to attract 6,000 guests, including 3,000 foreign visitors.

I also understand that on the exhibitors’ front, there are more than 400 companies from 30 countries and 13 national pavilions. I would like to thank these countries for choosing Singapore as a launch-pad to showcase the best they have to offer, as well as to introduce new products and solutions for the healthcare industry. This is a strong endorsement of Singapore’s position as the region’s medical R&D hub.

The 2-day Occupational Safety and Health conference that will be held concurrently with Occupational Safety and Health 2006 is also timely. The conference will focus on current issues that impact best practices in areas like biosafety, occupational safety and health as well as risk and environment management.

Growth of the Medical R&D Industry

The growth of the medical industry in Singapore has been steady with a strong R & D component. According to the Economic Survey of Singapore, medical technology manufacturing output reached S$2.2 billion in 2005. Singapore has built a reputation as a hub for the medical industry by nurturing a vibrant R&D climate, leveraging on our strategic location and connectivity, developing a strong intellectual property rights regime and building on our track record in hosting medical related events. Let me elaborate.

The Biopolis, a S$500 million biomedical park, is a facility dedicated to biomedical exchange for the private and public research community. Completed in 2003, it is now a global R&D centre in Asia, boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and a pool of more than 1,000 top-class researchers and scientists. Singapore has also tied up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) under a S$1 billion initiative called Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE). The biomedical sciences will be one of the key areas of research at CREATE, reflecting the government’s commitment to R&D in this field.

Top global pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKine, Novartis and Pfizer have made Singapore their base due to our strategic location and connectivity to the rest of Asia. Singapore’s strong intellectual property rights regime has also been an important consideration in their decision to be headquartered here.

Lastly, Singapore has also enjoyed a strong track record in hosting medical-related events. In 2005, we hosted the third staging of the World Congress of Nephrology. The International Dental Exhibition and Meeting was also held in Singapore this year.Major events in the pipeline include the 27th International Epilepsy Congress and the 18th World Organisation of Family Doctors World Conference in 2007 as well as the 13th International Conference on Emergency Medicine in 2010.

Singapore as the Preferred Venue for Business Events

In August this year, STB unveiled a new suite of incentives for the MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions) sector. The biomedical sciences is one of the key industries that STB will be focusing on with the aim of providing a conducive environment for the staging of medical-related events in Singapore. Such events play a key role in contributing to an increase in business and networking opportunities, creating a more robust exchange of ideas as well as reinforcing Singapore’s value proposition as an ideal location and a catalyst for business success.

Indeed, Singapore’s dynamic and pro-business environment, strategic position in the heart of Asia and connectivity to the rest of the world offer a truly global marketplace for delegates attending HOSPIMedica and Occupational Safety and Health 2006.

Conclusion

In closing, I would like to encourage all delegates to experience Singapore’s exciting blend of tourism offerings even as you are busy attending the events over the next few days. This September through October, visitors can expect a triple treat when Singapore's Chinese, Malay and Indian communities celebrate three major festivals - Mid-Autumn Festival, Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali - a veritable cultural feast not to be missed.

On this note, I wish all of you a very successful and fruitful time in Singapore.

Thank you.