Australia’s world-class healthcare services and technology sector has set its sights on expanding its footprint in China, as the country ramps up funding to meet its Healthy China 2030 strategy.
Nine Australian health services providers recently visited hospitals and medical facilities in Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. The delegation met with potential partners, customers and investors, as well as Chinese government agencies and policymakers.
Austrade’s Trade Commissioner in Chengdu, Tim White, helped coordinate the week-long services mission. He says it was a great success in showing the value Austrade can bring to clients as well as harnessing its networks, partnerships and market knowledge in a complex sector.
‘The mission clearly showed that Australia has the right capability to help meet the healthcare needs of China’s 1.4 billion-strong population,’ says White.
One of the mission’s successful outcomes was the Australian Physiotherapy Association exploring a partnership with the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association for joint delivery of rehab training programs in mainland China.
As China is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing healthcare services markets, White says important for Australian companies to visit, build relationships and understand their needs.
‘The scale of opportunity for growth and collaboration with China is staggering – in Beijing alone, there are 11,000 medical institutions and 732 hospitals, with some 114,000 beds,’ he says.
‘China is looking to partner with the world’s best providers to meet the needs of its citizens and we want to be sure that Australian providers are among China’s trusted partners.’
The delegation included Aspen Medical, joint winner of the 2018 Australian Exporter of the Year, Genesis Care, Icon Group, The George Institute for Global Health, MH Solutions, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of South Australia, the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Woods Bagot.
Genesis Care is now working with Austrade to support several major partnership announcements for the China market in the coming six months.
