Traditional Medicine Expo to return with fresh elements

Traditional Medicine sector sees strong growth after turning into a US$107bln global market.

Following the success of the inaugural Traditional Medicine Expo (TMExpo) last year, which featured 90 exhibitors and attracted close to 7,181 local and foreign trade visitors, the burgeoning TM sector will receive another shot in the arm as Singapore once again plays host to the region's premier showcase of traditional medicine products and services later this year, according to a TM Expo report.

Jointly organised by the Singapore TCM Organisations Committee (STOC) and the Singapore TCM College, TMExpo 2010 will be held from 15 – 17 October at Hall 402-403, Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre Singapore. The three-day event will be open to trade as well as members of the public and is expected to attract visitors from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Aside from providing a platform for TM organisations from the region to showcase the latest in patent medicine, raw herbs, herbal extracts, health supplements, health care and therapy, as well as equipment and related services, TMExpo 2010 will also offer business networking opportunities for trade visitors while educating consumers about Traditional Medicine.

To pique the interest of both trade and public visitors, the organisers will be injecting fresh new elements into the show, including Marketing Trends Workshops and Innovation Seminars, while retaining last year’s highly-popular Traditional Medicine Heritage Showcase and Conference Programme. Conducted by industry experts, the Marketing Trends Workshops will offer a macro perspective on the latest trends and future developments in the Traditional Medicine sector, while the Innovation Seminars will provide consumers with insights on the beneficial properties of various TM products and their unique formulations.

Mr. Lee Tiong Sa, Chairman, TMExpo 2010 Organising Committee said, "The global demand for Traditional Medicine has been growing as it is increasingly perceived as a natural and holistic alternative to Western medicine. In fact, the global market for TCM is expected to exceed US$107 billion by 2011. Set against the backdrop of such a burgeoning industry, the second Traditional Medicine Expo will not only be the catalyst for growth in the local TM sector, but will also play an instrumental role in strengthening regional cooperation."

As an added incentive, the organisers have also obtained the International Marketing Activities Programme (IMAP) subsidy from IE Singapore, which will allow local exhibitors to claim up to 50% of eligible expenses incurred under the umbrella of the Singapore Pavilion. To date, more than 63% of the exhibition space in the Singapore Pavilion has been snapped up by established local TM companies including Defu Foodstuff, Kaiser Pharmaceuticals, Science Arts Co, Tong Jum Chew and Wen Ken Group. This year's event is also expected to attract overseas exhibitors from China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

TMExpo 2010 is supported by IE Singapore, the Ministry of Health, SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.