Mission Statement
Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission
Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam, The Netherlands
February 9-13, 2004

Mission Description:

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service, office of Export Promotion Services is organizing a Healthcare Technologies Trade Mission to Brussels, Belgium and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on February 9-13, 2004. The Trade Mission will target the healthcare technologies industry. The focus of the delegation will be to match U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, and joint venture partners in healthcare technology related markets.

Commercial Setting:

Belgium

Belgium is home to one of the most efficiently run healthcare systems in Europe and offers an excellent "launching pad" for marketing healthcare technologies throughout Europe. Featured as a part of the national social security system, the healthcare program reimburses providers for an extensive number of medical products.

The value of the Belgian medical equipment market is estimated at over $1.26 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 5 percent. Belgium imports more than 85 percent of its medical equipment, making its healthcare market very competitive among suppliers. Belgium imported $491 million worth of U.S. medical products in 2001.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a leading European location for cutting-edge, high-tech industries, including medical technology. The country has a strong tradition in the medical technology industry and hosts more than 500 medical technology companies, and over 35 specialized research centers operating in the development and manufacturing of medical instruments and systems. National healthcare expenditures in The Netherlands are 10.5 percent of GNP.

The Netherlands holds great potential for U.S. companies in the healthcare technologies industries. Imports play a major role in supplying the Dutch market, and U.S. products are well regarded in Holland’s sophisticated medical equipment sector. By 2020 one third of the population in Holland is expected to be over fifty years old. As the Dutch population grows older there will be a greater demand for medical products and technologies, including those in the dental sector.

Due to its favorable geographic position and the large port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, like Belgium, often acts as a distribution point where products are imported and distributed throughout Europe.

Mission Goals:

The Trade Mission's goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to potential business partners and key government officials for new-to-market, and/or new-to-export U.S. healthcare technology firms desiring to enter these promising markets.

Mission Scenario:

The trade mission will spend two days in Brussels and two days in Amsterdam with one day for travel. At each stop, the U.S. Commercial Service will:

• provide a market briefing highlighting opportunities in the healthcare technologies sector;
• schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant;
• and arrange hospitality events to introduce participants to key business and industry officials.

Tentative Timetable:

Sunday, February 8 Arrive in Brussels, Belgium
Monday, February 9 Market Briefing in Brussels, Trade Mission Meetings, Evening Reception
Tuesday, February 10 Trade Mission Meetings
Wednesday, February 11 Depart Brussels for Amsterdam
Thursday, March 20 Market Briefing in Amsterdam, Trade Mission Meetings, Evening Reception
Friday, March 21 Trade Mission Meetings

Conclusion of Trade MissionCriteria for Participation:

• Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals
• Potential for business in the selected markets
• Timely submission of the company's completed application, participation agreement and payment of the mission participation fees
• Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners

Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

The mission will be promoted through the following venues: the Export Assistance Centers and Teams; the Federal Register; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; past Commerce trade mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists, and on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar - www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html - and other internet websites.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process. The participation fee will be between $2,500-$2,800 for the trade mission. The participation fee does not include travel costs or lodging. The trade mission will be open to the first 10 qualified U.S. companies. Recruitment will begin immediately and the deadline for applicants will be January 9, 2004. Any applications received after this date will be considered only if the target number of 10 companies has not been reached and scheduling constraints permit.

Contact Information:

Bill Kutson, Project Manager
Export Promotion Services
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2117
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-2839
Fax: (202) 482-2718
E-mail:william.kutson@mail.doc.gov