A revised page on our website,  this page aims to bring you the latest news about TMTA projects and events.

Since our Chairman has just recently returned from China and the Ukraine, our latest breaking news is about both of these events: the mission to China and the Canada_Ukraine Business Summit

For other information and photos about our China Mission, click on to our Special Promotions page. It explains the rationale behind such a mission and explains why we've spearheaded such a mission for the 4th year in a row. 

For additional information about the Ukraine project, you can click on to our Global Focus page.

2008 Medical technology mission
makes it way through China

The contingent of 10 companies and organizations which made up TMTA’s 2008 medical  technology Mission left Canada on April 11. After settling in at the lovely Royal Plaza Hotel and taking a day to explore Hong Kong’s sights and sounds, the group soon headed off to the Science Park. This amazing high technology facility gave everyone a detailed overview of how other countries are involving themselves in research and development in the field of health sciences. The centre also emphasizes what Hong Kong is doing to assist small entrepreneurs in their entry into the vast healthcare market in this part of the world.

Just-in-time hospital
The group was then hosted by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority which operates some 40+ hospitals in the region. The Hospital Authority gave a detailed explanation of how it purchases medical goods and receives them through its network of hospitals. Mission members were assured that the bidding process is wide open and that any company that wishes to bid on tenders issued by the Hospital Authority can do so. Of course, trying to enter this market without first linking up with a local distributor who can service a company’s products would be a serious impediment. This factor is growing in importance as Chinese hospitals switch to just-in-time delivery for all of their needs.

Arriving in Shenzhen
The Mission next headed off to Shenzhen where most stayed at the brand new Futian Sheraton Hotel which is attached to the convention centre in which the China Medical Equipment Fair is located. The first stop in the group’s itinerary was a visit to Shenzhen’s largest hospital. Then it was onto the convention centre where the group participated in setting up the Canadian pavilion which housed all of the individual counters for each participating company. Participating firms included: CardioMed, Edu-Science Ltd, Gowlings, Lafleur and Henderson, IMRIS Inc., NDI Asia Pacific, Pharmax, Phoenix BioMedical, Prime Pacific Health Innovations, Industry Canada and TMTA. 

Heavy traffic at the fair
Traffic at the CMEF was intense and the Canadian Pavilion was constantly flowing as many visitors dropped in to check out our fine choice of products and services. Most visitors also left their business card to enter their name in the popular Norman Bethune contest held by TMTA. The contest involved giving away more than 100 commemorative T-shirts. Designed by TMTA and sporting slogans in English and Mandarin, the T-shirts featured an authentic 1940’s poster of Dr. Norman Bethune providing medical care to a young child in the midst of a village setting. Since Dr. Bethune is a cultural hero in China, honouring him at the Canadian pavilion was a perfect fit. His Canadian origin, medical breakthroughs and humanitarian accomplishments are well known all over China. The contest served to substantially increase traffic to the pavilion and raise the profile of the “Canada” brand in the minds of fair attendees.

Many contacts to follow-up on
As the CMEF wrapped up, each firm left Shenzhen with a lot of work ahead of them. All had contacts to follow up on. For several participants, contacts made during the fair are likely to turn into firm sales in the very short term. Some even felt that they had informally sealed deals with distributors and are confident they will soon start offering their products to this huge market.

By April 22, most participants in the Mission were ready to return to Hong Kong then onto Canada. TMTA chairman Christian and his translator and guide, Anderson Zhen were then moving onto to Beijing to meet with the SFDA and consult with Chinese authorities. Their goal was to find ways of accelerating the licensing process for Canadian manufacturers of medical devices.  Since this meeting with Chinese authorities was considered a government to government exchange, Christian’s visit was spearheaded by Ms. Leah Clark, Director General of Health Sciences at Industry Canada and Mr. George Michaliszyn, Director of the same branch.

Making the case for Canadian businesses
The meeting was cordial and more transparent than the one held with the SFDA last year. The Canadians were reminded that the SFDA as gone through major changes in the last few years and continues to make additional changes to bring China up to international regulations requirements. Management is well aware of the backlog and promises to work diligently to bring it under control as soon as possible. Patience will be required on the part of the industry because the massive backlog does not only affect imports. It also impacts a long list of domestic companies requiring certification for their products.

As an official representative of the Canadian government, Ms. Leah Clark made a compelling case for the numerous Canadian companies that waiting to have their products approved by the SFDA. Pointing out that some companies applied up to 4 years ago, she asked for assurances that their products will be approved in a more timely fashion. She also stressed that the Government of Canada is ready to assist the SFDA in any way that might improve the situation. Christian Dube's arguments were much along the same line. He emphasized that several TMTA members have been waiting to get clearance for their products and offered that TMTA would be very willing to offer any assistance which might help.

A massive challenge
The Canadian delegation left the meeting feeling confident that their case had been heard. The SFDA does indeed appear to be quite committed to clear up their backlog. Having officially met with TMTA and Health Canada, the Director of the SFDA and his assistant formally committed their agency to implement their approval process with all due diligence.  They could certainly use more staff since they presently only have 14 people to process all claims being made.  The task is quite overwhelming.

We were told that the weather in Shenzhen was very hot and humid, "a real killer" according to Christian. Fortunately, the climate in Beijing was somewhat milder and more comfortable. Christian Dube, the Mission’s Head kept members updated with regular postings. Thanks to our new “Spark” communication program, we have also been able to have the occasional real-time conversation with the group as the voyage unfolded.

More details will be shared with you once reports on the Mission are submitted. Background details about TMTA's annual Mission to China can be found on our special promotions page.

Promoting peace through science and technology initiatives

Far resting in anticipation of TMTA's upcoming 4th yearly Mission to China, our intrepid traveling chairman, Christian Dube attended the Canada-Ukraine Business Summit in early March 2008.

Invited to attend the summit by Foreign Affairs and Trade Canada, Christian participated in the 3 day event after landing in Kiev and heading off to Dnipropetrovsk to make a presentation on Canada's Research and Development needs.

The International Science and Technology Centre was the main focus of the summit. The ISTC was formed in 1992 as a non-proliferation program for former countries of the Soviet Union. It coordinates the efforts of numerous governments, international organizations and private sector industries to provide former weapons scientists with new opportunities in international research and development partnerships. The emphasis of ISTC programs is to focus on encouraging commercialization and world-wide application of skills and discoveries which once were exclusively reserved for defense applications. 

As Canada's chosen representative for the medical technology industry, Christian was called upon to elaborate on the needs of Canadian manufacturers for the services of scientists from a wide range of applications from robotics to nanotechnology and almost every other discipline in between.

For additional information about the CIS and the ISTC, click on our global_update  page.