KIMES 2012 Fulfils High Expectations

New medical products, innovative technologies, and the global economic recovery have helped realize the expectations hoped for from the 2012 edition of the Korea International Medical and Hospital Equipment Show (KIMES; Seoul), drawing over 60,000 visitors.

The 28th KIMES event was held in Seoul (Korea) on March 16-19, 2012, with the active participation of 978 companies from 30 countries, including 121 from the United States, 75 from Japan, 74 from Germany, 77 from China, and other international manufacturers, showcasing close to 30,000 products. Of particular interest were the 458 local companies exhibiting at the show, including Samsung Medison (Seoul, Korea), Listem, Choongwae Pharmaceuticals (Seoul, Korea), Dong Kang, UBCare, and BIT Computer.

The range of exhibits at KIMES 2012 included consultation, diagnosis central supply, clinical examination, hospital accommodation, emergency equipment, radiology, medical information system, surgical apparatus, oriental medicine, cure apparatus, pharmaceutical, physiotherapy apparatus, obesity cure, healthcare, ophthalmic apparatus, medical device component, medical service, dental apparatus, disposable apparatus, and others. By covering the full breadth of the medical industry, KIMES stood out this year as an important gauge of the direction medical technology is taking.

The show itself has grown considerably over the past several years, with foreign participation considerably larger than any time previously, and is symbolic of a growing interest by foreign medical companies in the Korean and neighboring countries market. The importance of the show and of the local medical industry to the Korean economy did not go unnoticed and prompted government sponsorship, drawing significant support from the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Seoul Metropolitan government, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KDA; Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea), and the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency.

Skilled manpower in the electronics and medical engineering sectors, coupled with Korea’s expertise in semiconductors, industrial electronics, and electronic parts, has led to the country’s electro-medical equipment industry showing rapid growth in a relatively short period. The medical market in Korea is estimated to be growing by 11.2% per annum and Korea is ranked at 17th in the world.