EH@KIMES
Seoul, S. Korea - This March, European Hospital was present at the Korea International Medical and Hospital Equipment Show (Kimes), our fifth time at this special event.
Now in its 25th year, the show has become an important venue not only for Korean exhibitors, distributors and buyers, but also for an international audience: 54,328 visitors from 71 countries, including industry representatives from neighbouring China, Japan and Taiwan.
One of the major objectives of Kimes, which is supported by the Korean government, is to showcase Korea as an attractive partner in the international medical market. Exhibited products focused on all aspects of healthcare delivery. Although Korean manufacturers face tough competition, internationally their products are increasingly credited. ‘Quality is one of our top priorities to prevail over the low-price foreign competitors, especially from China,’ explained one exhibitor. Many firms also expressed interest in European marketing and will be present at MEDICA in Germany this year.
The 2009 global economic crisis did affect Kimes. After years of steady growth, floor space had shrunk by 10.1% after some small companies cancelled participation. ‘According to our exhibitors, during and after the show, the results were not as bad as predicted. It turns out that everything remained business as usual,’ said the organisers pragmatically. ‘Kimes still brings tangible opportunity to the industry,’ concluded Choong-jin Kim, President of Korea E & Ex Inc.
Despite being the 26th exhibition, Kimes 2010 will celebrate its 30th anniversary, since the first Kimes was held in 1980.
01.05.2009
