Health care services representatives from around the world are all smiles at the International Medical Tourism Forum Aug. 6 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of TAIRA)
The International Medical Tourism Forum opened Aug. 6 in Taipei City, underscoring the strength of the local sector and wealth of opportunities stemming from expanded cross-strait economic exchanges.
Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the daylong gathering attracted more than 550 participants from home and abroad. It was the fourth event of its kind since the forum commenced in 2010.
“Regulatory liberalization on both sides of the Taiwan Strait has created the perfect conditions for developing cross-strait medical tourism,” said Wang Chen-fu, chief secretary of the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs.
“In June 2011, Taiwan opened its door to independent travelers from mainland China, and this month the number of mainland Chinese cities from which independent travelers can embark on visits to Taiwan will come to 26.
“Moreover, the recently signed Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement will expand two-way interchange of medical services.”
Under the agreement, Wang said, Taiwan health care services firms are able to operate independently invested institutions in all 22 mainland Chinese provincial capital cities, as well as in four special municipalities. This is up from four provinces and one major city before negotiation of the treaty, he added.
Echoing Wang’s remarks, Chang Hang, chairman of the International Medical and Health Care Committee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said international medical care centers are set to be established in Taiwan’s free economic pilot zones. “They will provide referral services to medical tourists from abroad.”
Jene John Fu, president of Shanghai Ruidong Hospital, said his facility is the first jointly invested cross-strait medical institution, illustrating the benefits of close interaction between Taiwan and mainland China’s health care services sectors.
Other forum participants include Wang Guangfa, chairman of Beijing Royal Integrative Medicine Hospital, and Yu Wei Siang, chairman of Singapore-based Borderless Healthcare Group. (JD)
source: http://www.taiwantoday.tw / Taiwan Today / Home> Past Stories> Economy / August 07th, 2013
