With active participations in serving the Medical and Healthcare Industries in Hong Kong over the past 5 years, it is timely for the Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association (HKMHDIA) to reflect upon our previous achievements and to strategize our future functions in accomplishing our Missions.

Our services in the past years are mainly three-folded. First, we help to build our member industries competencies, particularly in quality systems and manufacturing technologies that are specific to the Medical and Healthcare Device Industries (Industries). Second, we publicize our member industries products and services locally and internationally, particularly in receiving or organizing trade missions and exhibitions. Third, as a coalition of Industries, we act as a stakeholder to advise regulatory bodies particularly the Government of the Hong Kong Administrative Region, on policies and regulations concerning Medical Devices.

While our services in these three areas have been noteworthy, we are cognizant of the ever-increasing bars set for our Industries globally by customers, consumers and regulatory bodies alike. To sustain our competitiveness, we will continue to upgrade the quality of these three areas of services according to the latest international trends in Medical and Healthcare Device research and development, market and distribution, manufacturing and critical-component technologies, and quality and regulatory requirements.

To strategize our future functions, it is also important for us to remember the Missions of the Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association within two contexts. As high-valued added industries, we depend on innovation and technology for sustainable growth. We are an important pillar of Hong Kongs innovation and technology industries, which contributes to the local knowledge-based economy. As such, we are prepared to collaborate with other stakeholders, such as universities, research institutions, technology incubators, trade promotion organizations and the HKSAR Government, in facilitating this Economy Mission.

We are also Industries within the context of Healthcare Delivery. As upstream suppliers, we design, manufacture and distribute medical devices to be used by healthcare providers in the diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and management of ailments, diseases and medical conditions. We are integral members of healthcare delivery in ensuring that safe and effective medical devices ultimately benefit the public. Thus, we are also prepared to join hands with healthcare providers in both public and private sectors in realizing our Public Healthcare Mission.

In summary, Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association will continue to service its Industries by building our internal competencies, setting and observing professional and industrial standards, publicizing our competitiveness locally and internationally, and advising on Medical Device policies. We will perform all these services in closer collaboration with other important stakeholders who, same as us, contribute to Hong Kongs knowledge-based economy or uphold the safety and effectiveness of medical devices.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the effort of all former Executive Board Members, Honorary Advisors and staff who have tirelessly served the Association. We have elected a dynamic, respected, professional and socially-responsible Board of Executive Members and Advisors to lead the Association. I take this opportunity to welcome interested individuals, companies and organizations to join our Association as members. I look forward to working with other stakeholders in fulfilling the Economic and Public Healthcare Missions.

Professor John Y. Chai

Chairman

Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association