Statement by Joachim Schäfer, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf about MEDICA 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany the World Forum for Medicine – International Trade Fair with Congress (November 16 – 19, 2011)
The global market for medical technology and medical devices has weathered the storm of the economic and financial crisis well and is now enjoying steady growth, with a current volume of about €300 billion. Although the supply structures and the financing situation of users of medical technology can vary a lot from one country to another, the market as a whole is characterized by a lively exchange of goods. More than half of the medical devices, products and instruments produced worldwide are made for export.
The manufacturers adapt flexibly to the different needs of the various continental and regional markets. Whereas complex systems with a relatively high degree of innovation are called for in the European and North American market, there is a demand for more robust and easy to use devices in the emerging countries of Asia and Eastern Europe in order to promote the rapid and widespread modernization of the medical care units. Rising incomes and a growing willingness by the general population to spend more money on health will also lead to further market growth.
In this market, which is characterized worldwide as being very dynamic, medical technology "Made in Germany" enjoys an excellent reputation, as proven by the high export quota of over 60% and the inventiveness of German industry. The number of patents applications submitted for medical technology in Germany is significantly higher than in other industries such as the automobile industry or IT. German "Medtech" manufacturers are global market leaders in many areas.
Just how intense the competition with manufacturers from other countries is, in spite of all their strengths, will once again be evident in November at the world's largest medical trade fair, MEDICA, in Düsseldorf, Germany (November 16 - 19), where two thirds of the exhibitors will be from outside of Germany.
At the parallel held COMPAMED 2011, the leading international trade fair for the suppliers' market in medical manufacturing (November 16 - 18), participation is similar in international scope.
These positive market conditions and the global position as the No. 1 event are reflected in the excellent response and registrations for MEDICA 2011, for which about 4,500 exhibitors have booked about 1.2 million square feet of space at the world's largest medical trade fair, representing a further year-on-year increase.
