
The Malaysian government aims to become a centre of excellence in the medical and devices industry by 2030 as part of the new Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) designed to stimulate the economy, investments, and the manufacturing sector. “The medical and devices industry is expected to elevate Malaysia’s economy, create added value and job opportunities, improve inclusivity, and develop a new industry cluster,” said Chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), YB Dato’ Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Next year, Malaysia’s MATRADE and Informa Markets will jointly organise CPHI South East Asia, the largest pharma and medical devices trade show and conference in South East Asia. Every year, it brings together over 750 exhibitors and 10,000 trade visitors from different sectors in the healthcare industry. Hosting this event in Malaysia will support the medical and devices industry development through networking, knowledge sharing, and the exhibition of interesting innovations and technology.

CPHI South East Asia 2024 was earlier successfully held in Bangkok, helping to promote pharmaceutical security, increase accessibility to high-quality pharmaceutical products, and elevate the Thai pharmaceutical industry as the healthcare and medical hub of ASEAN. The Malaysian government aims to provide a comprehensive outlook on the dynamism of Malaysia’s healthcare industry and a strategic platform for promoting and showcasing the latest Malaysian healthcare products and services.
Malaysia views the healthcare industry as a key economic driver. In 2023, Malaysia’s total trade in the healthcare industry was valued at USD 11.1 billion. Healthcare product exports amounted to USD 6.81 billion, while total imports totalled USD 4.29 billion. The momentum will continue in 2024, with the Malaysian government expecting the medical and devices sector to contribute USD 4.91 billion to its economy. The pharmaceutical segment has already added over USD 1.26 billion to the country’s GDP. At present, Malaysia’s medical devices industry employs over 13,000 individuals, and the pharmaceutical industry provides jobs for almost 30,000 people.
The Malaysian government has also promoted other high-innovation industries to drive the economy, including semiconductor, electrical and electronics (IC design and wafer fabrication activities), specialty chemicals, aerospace, advanced materials, electric vehicles (EV), renewable energy (RE), and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). The NIMP 2030 aims to bolster the nation’s manufacturing sector with ambitious microeconomic targets, including boosting the GDP of the manufacturing sector by 6.5% annually.

Being neighbouring countries, Thailand and Malaysia have long diplomatic and trade relationships and are strategic trade partners. Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce said that Malaysia is Thailand's No.1 trade partner in ASEAN and ranks fourth overall. Trade between the two countries totalled USD 25 billion last year.

Ms. Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets and Country General Manager – Philippines, expressed the company’s readiness for CPHI South East Asia 2024, Asia’s leading pharmaceutical technology and innovation exhibition. The event aims to create new opportunities and improve the Thai pharmaceutical industry to ensure pharmaceutical security, driving Thailand towards becoming ASEAN’s largest and fastest-growing medical hub.
“The company expects the event will attract 18,000 visitors and provide business matching opportunities for around 2,000 businesses during the three-day event,” she said. Highlights of the event include over 400 brands from 50 countries, such as the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The event will also showcase healthcare and medical innovations from 10 related industry profiles, including reactants, medicine, herbal medicine, machinery, packaging, testing equipment, OEM, logistics, warehouses, chemicals, and natural extracts.
