Estimated Output Value of Medical Equipment Ind. in 2012 to Reach Around NT$73 Billion

Taipei, May 23, 2012 (CENS)--Influenced by the debt crisis in Europe and credit default in U.S.A. as well as the Greece's possible retreat from Eurozone, Taiwan's exports of electric wheelchairs and scooters for handicapped in 2012 may be impacted; however, contact lenses and glucometers will be the largest winners at Taiwan's medical supplies and equipment industry, indicated analyst Y. B. Huang of Industry & Technology Intelligence Service (ITIS) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The annual output value in 2012 of the medical supplies and equipment industry is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 7% to NT$73 billion (US$2.43 billion), according to the ITIS.

Sales of some products fell quarter on quarter in the first quarter of 2012, as the first quarter of a year is usually an off season for medical supplies and equipment industry, but the exports still saw double-digit increase. The industry's output value in the first quarter came to NT$18 billion (US$600 million), 7.6% higher than the previous quarter.

Although production of some medical products in Taiwan have moved offshore, the industry's production value in 2012 is still expected to grow at an annual rate of 7% to NT$73 billion (US$2.43 billion), fueled by competitive products as contact lenses and glucometers.

Sales revenue of Taiwan's medical supplies and equipment industry in 2012 still looks bright driven by some manufacturers global strategic alliance to fuel growth, accompanied by growing exchange between Taiwan and China and the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), as well as China's having approved operation by many Taiwanese companies there.