KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) supports the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) to provide wider access for ‘Made-in-Malaysia” medical devices into TPP countries especially the US with whom Malaysia has no trade agreement.
The association in a statement today 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 disposable products.
"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. High value medical devices manufactured in Malaysia are orthopaedic products, dialysers, surgical implants, medical electrodes, diagnostic radiographic equipment, pacemakers, defibrillators and ophthalmic lenses," it said.
The medical devices 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.
"The reliability of “Made in Malaysia” medical devices is being recognised worldwide and this has resulted in a 13 per cent increase in total exports ; from RM11.9 billion in 2013 to RM13.5 billion in 2014."
In the context of exports, AMMI said it believes that the TPPA will enable medical device manufacturers in Malaysia to further grow their exports to the TPPA countries and for Malaysia to attract more foreign direct investments in medical devices manufacturing.