Maltese businesses operating in the healthcare industry are invited to participate in the European Healthcare Trade Mission to Japan, which will take place between 18 and 22 June of next year as part of the EU Gateway to Japan initiative.

The call is open to all local firms that provide medical equipment, including instruments, apparatus or materials used in the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of diseases in humans or animals, and that can be used to affect the structure of functions in humans or animals.

Local businesses providing home care and rehabilitation products are also included in this call. These need to be involved in products assisting the elderly or people with reduced functionality of their bodies, as well as devices and prosthetics.

The EU Gateway to Japan is an export promotion programme managed and funded by the European Commission. The programme assists small and medium-sized EU companies in their efforts to export to Japan. It particularly targets those companies that are either newcomers to the Japanese market, or that have experienced difficulties in entering it.

The campaign offers local companies immediate as well as long-term benefits, such as assistance and preparation in Europe, activities and support in Japan and campaign marketing services, as well as facilitation services and financial support.

The third Gateway to Japan, covering the period 2002-2006, has been extended and EU Gateway to Japan 3 Plus will take place from April 2006 until June 2007.

Anyone who is interested in participating in the above events, or who would like to learn more about the Gateway to Japan programme, may contact Malta’s national coordinator Edgar Chircop at the Malta Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise on 2123-3873 or email [email protected]