UK medtech firms need to work harder in Far East:

While exports of medical equipment from the UK to Singapore rose from £11.5 million in 1992 to £16.8 million ($25 million) in 1994, "there is some evidence that we are losing ground" in the Singapore market, says the UK Department of Health. UK imports of medical equipment from Singapore "have risen dramatically" - from £6.4 million in 1992 to £14.3 million in 1994. There was a 30% fall in UK medical equipment exports to Thailand in 1994, according to the DoH. Exports stood at £6.1 million, compared with £8.6 million in 1993. Exports to Malaysia also fell in 1994 by over 40% to £6.9 million. The UK's relations with Malaysia were badly affected by the Pergau Dam affair in 1994, the DoH notes.