Medical equipment sector dampened by political uncertainty, say businesses  

Highlights

• Bangla Med Expo 2025 features innovations from 120 medical, healthcare companies
• New medical tech on display includes an all-in-one blood testing machine and an automatic CPR device
• Bangladesh's medical equipment market was $442m in 2020, to surpass $820m by 2025 and $3b by 2030

Monir Neuro Spine Surgical Mart, established in 2012, deals in surgical instruments, operating theatre equipment, hospital furniture, and other medical supplies, some of which it manufactures.

It has participated in medical expos in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, but business has slowed over the past one to one and a half years. 

"New investors are currently not investing due to political uncertainty, which discourages starting new projects. Without fresh investment in the hospital and diagnostic sector, our business suffers. While the company previously experienced fairly good growth almost every year, growth is much lower this time," the company's founder Md Monirul Islam told TBS.

Bangla Med Expo 2025, a three-day exhibition on medical, surgical, and hospital equipment, diagnostic products, and consumables, began on Thursday at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka and will run from 10am to 7pm today. 

Around 120 local and foreign companies are showcasing their latest medical equipment and healthcare innovations. Discussions with at least 12 participating officials and entrepreneurs showed that nearly all are struggling under current conditions.

MicroMed, which has been selling home healthcare products in Bangladesh for about 22 years, participates in the expo every year. 

Md Shamim Hossain, the company's customer service manager, told TBS, "Business has been very slow over the past six months. Maybe people are waiting for a politically elected government before investing, or perhaps they simply don't have the money."

Md Mohsin, assistant manager (sales) at Islam Trading, expressed similar concerns, saying, "The overall business environment is quite challenging right now."

Organised by Extreme Exhibition & Event Solution Ltd, the expo is being held for the fourth consecutive year since 2022, with nearly 400 brands from 10 countries—including Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Switzerland—participating. 

Exhibitors are showcasing innovations across nine areas — medical equipment and devices, disposables and consumables, orthopaedics and physiotherapy, imaging and diagnostics, healthcare services, IT systems, infrastructure and assets, and wellness and prevention.

Avijit Mondal, senior manager of Extreme Exhibition & Event Solution Ltd, told TBS, "The medical sector is constantly evolving. The expo gives both local and international companies a platform to showcase innovations, learn about new technologies, and exchange ideas."

Entrepreneurs display new tech

Several entrepreneurs brought new technologies to the expo. At Islam Trading's stall, Md Mohsin introduced a point-of-care testing (POCT) analyser called iCare1300, capable of performing CBC, HbA1c, Biochemistry, and Fluorescence Immunoassay tests. Imported from the Chinese company Sinocare, it has not yet been sold in Bangladesh. 

"This machine is only on display for now. Sales have not started, and no one else in Bangladesh has bought it. Previously, these four tests were done using separate devices. Now, all four tests can be done with a single machine. We import various products from China and India," he said.

The expo also features a state-of-the-art CPR machine from Tianglang, a subsidiary of China's TECHMENZ Group, which automatically delivers chest compressions to patients experiencing cardiac arrest or sudden heart failure. This is the first time the company has introduced this machine in Bangladesh. 

Eric Tian, Sales and Marketing Manager of Tianglang, said, "We are showcasing new technology to attract entrepreneurs. We are looking for distributors in Bangladesh to work with us."

Networking is key

Companies and visitors share a common goal—building networks. Spartech, participating with surgical items for the first time, is represented by proprietor Muhammad Baber, who said, "This is our first time participating in any expo in Bangladesh. Our purpose here is to create networks and collaborate with Bangladeshi companies or organisations."

Many aspiring entrepreneurs also attended. Russel Khan, who came with a business plan, said, "I want to start a business in medical equipment. I came to get an idea of market demand, import trends, and product sources." 

Students from medical colleges visited to see the latest technologies. Pritom Pal, a student of Saic College of Medical Science and Technology, said, "Exhibitions like this allow us to see many new devices and understand how to use them directly. That's why our college brought us here."

Organisers noted that Bangladesh's medical equipment market was $442 million in 2020, expected to surpass $820 million by 2025 and exceed $3 billion by 2030. India and China supply 25–30% of the market, Germany and the US 10–15%, and Taiwan and Pakistan under 3% each.