Offering advice and support

UK Trade & Investment has been anounced as an official sponsor of this year's MEDTEC UK Conference (London Olympia, 1st and 2nd May). Here, we outline what's in store for visitors to the event

UKTI will be hosting a special networking area for all medical device manufacturers looking to find out how the UKTI could be of assistance. Commenting on the agreement, Nick Baird, CE, said: "I am delighted that UKTI is an official partner of MEDTEC UK. The UK has one of the world's largest and most productive life sciences economies and the medical technology sector alone generates £15 billion turnover each year.

"British medical technology firms exemplify how innovation and technology can change lives - and UKTI can help promote their extraordinary potential to an international audience." Event Director Chris Edwards adds: "MEDTEC UK has always been about showcasing the latest innovations in medical device technology, but this year we also wanted to focus on helping medtech businesses do business, both in the UK and abroad.

"We've created this special networking area to give medical device manufacturers the chance to meet with UKTI representatives who can offer advice on topics such as overseas market entry, UK finance and funding, and other UK institutions and bodies which could help bring their products to market. Collaboration is another key theme this year and delegates to MEDTEC UK will be able to prearrange meetings with UKTI staff, MEDTEC UK exhibitors and other delegates who they may wish to partner with or simply learn from." UKTI is expert at helping businesses grow internationally. It provides trade advice and practical support to UKbased companies and can assist companies on every step of the exporting journey.

Whatever stage of development, UKTI aims to provide the support needed for businesses to prosper.

Through a range of services, including participation at selected trade fairs, outward missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, UKTI can help companies crack foreign markets and get to grips quickly with overseas regulations and business practice.

The UKTI Networking Hub complements the MEDTEC UK exhibition that will showcase the latest products and services for effective and efficient manufacture, sub-contracting and supply chain management.

MEDTEC UK will also feature a series of Innovation Briefings to enable medical device manufacturers to present innovations to intellectual property experts, private equity managers and potential partners, as well as a comprehensive education programme.

The MEDTEC UK Conference will include industry-leading thinking on regulation, drug delivery, orthopaedic devices and surgical instrumentation, plus sessions on helping manufacturers do business in the UK and overseas with advice on tapping into the potential in BRIC markets.

There will also be a programme of workshops covering additive manufacturing and collaborative outsourcing.