Medical Fair welcomed 12,000+ buyers from 60 countries and regions

360+ deal-making sessions and 650+ business matching meetings were arranged to facilitate cross-sector collaboration

Signing of cooperation agreements at ASGH fostered collaboration across healthcare, including ophthalmology, gastrointestinal well-being, AI and innovative drugs

HONG KONG, May 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - China’s 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub, which will provide new opportunities in healthcare and promote the city as an international health innovation hub.

Global healthcare leaders, medical product and service traders, start-ups and investors gathered in Hong Kong for the third International Healthcare Week, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), to engage in conversation on the healthcare industry’s latest developments and trending topics.

The flagship events, the fourth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) and the 15th edition of the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), concluded successfully yesterday. ASGH attracted over 2,800 participants from 40 countries and regions, while the Medical Fair welcomed over 12,000 buyers from 60 countries and regions.

More than 360 one-on-one deal-making sessions and over 650 business matching meetings were arranged to facilitate cross-sector collaboration.

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said: "Global health issues, such as ageing populations, novel infectious diseases and climate-related health threats, have accelerated the need for innovation, collaboration and inclusion. The Asia Summit on Global Health and Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair have greatly contributed to advancing health and medical innovation and fostering vital industry exchange. Being able to bring together leading figures in healthcare-related industries in Hong Kong is a testament to our city’s position as a leading hub for medical innovation."

Healthcare experts discuss trending topics

The Summit brought together over 80 experts, researchers, medical professionals, business leaders, investors and representatives from the healthcare industry worldwide. They engaged in fruitful discussions on diverse forward-looking issues, ranging from healthcare innovation, innovative drugs and China's healthcare development to healthcare investment prospects and healthcare insurance.

At the first plenary that discussed opportunities in co-creating a synergistic health innovation ecosystem, Prof Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Hong Kong SAR, said: “Hong Kong is on a road to reform its medical product registration and innovate biomedical research in the coming decade. With the national endorsement and our policy innovations, together with the can-do spirit of our people bolstered with our traditional and new advantages, I am confident that Hong Kong will overcome all challenges and achieve its goal of developing into a health and medical innovation hub.”

Another highlight was Prof Roger Kornberg, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2006, in the second plenary who highlighted the latest biotech advancements. He pointed out: “The chief limiting factor in research today is financial support. The Hong Kong government has taken important steps very recently and announced a programme to invest HK$6 billion in a research centre for fundamental studies.

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