today IDEM Singapore April 10, 2016

n Signed two months ago, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is expectedtobecomeintoforcelater this year when it is voted on by the US Congress. IDEM visitors had the opportunity to learn about the most important aspects of this sig- nificant agreement and the oppor- tunities it holds for the markets involved, during a session held on FridaybytheUSCommercialServ- ice in Singapore at the Dental Trib- une Study Club symposium. Involving existing and new trade partners of the US, such as Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan and Vietnam, the main goal of the TPP is to remove barriers to trade in the form of 18,000 foreign taxes and tariffs and to bring foreign labour and environmental standards up to US levels. An expansion of the existing Trans- Pacific Strategic Economic Part- nership, it was first negotiated at a summit in 2010. In February this year, the final draft was signed by the US and four other American nations (Canada, Chile, Mexico and Peru) and seven Asian states (Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Viet- nam). A cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s strategy to make US exports more competitive and revive American business leader- ship in the Asia-Pacific region, the agreement has been met with con- troversy at home, particularly dur- ing the US primary elections, with some candidates (including Re- publican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic forerunner Bernie Sanders) speaking out against it. According to figures from the US Commercial Service, TPP coun- tries currently account for almost half of all US goods imports. Im- ports of health products to TPP countries amounted to US$8.9 bil- lion(S$12billion)in2014.Withthe agreement, current tariffs of up to 30 per cent paid by companies in- volved in the health care sector would be removed. 7 Trans-Pacific Partnership focus of IDEM presentation Facts and opportunities explained at DT Study Club symposium news 2 IDEM Singapore 2016—10 April n This year’s International Dental ExhibitionandMeeting(IDEM)has been yet another success for or- ganiser Koelnmesse. On Saturday, today international sat down with Michael Dreyer, vice president for Asia Pacific, to discuss the out- come of the show and what is in store for the anniversary meeting in 2018. today international: Mr Dreyer, the first day of the show was buzzing. Is this an indication that IDEM has meet your expec- tations? Michael Dreyer: The general situation is that we have a 10 per cent growth in both trade visitors and congress delegates. Overall, we are talking about 2,200 dele- gates and approximately 8,000 vis- itors. Both numbers have gone up, which is the result of measures we took to correct the situation from two years ago when we used Level 6 for the first time and had diffi- cultyattractingvisitorstothefloor. This year, we intentionally moved the trade show registration to Level 6, so everyone who wants to visittheexhibitionhastogoup,get his or her bag, and stroll through the hall. It has worked almost too well, as it took almost 45 minutes yesterday for attendees to come down to Level 4. We also have the lunch area for delegates, as well as the Singapore pavilion in Hall 6, where locals can buy consum- ables, whereas on Level 4, one can find the more sophisticated, high- priced equipment. I received some comments yesterday that there could be more traffic on Level 4, however. You said that there are 10 per cent more visitors at IDEM this year. Where do they come from mainly? Ontheexhibitors’side,wehave had a shift as a direct result of us reducing the number of ex- hibitors with lower-quality equip- ment from China, for example. We also have a Brazilian pavilion for the first time, which is show- casing some quite interesting products. There has also been a move towards digital equipment, reflecting the general trend of upgrading the technology level and therefore the quality of the event. With regard to visitors, we have quite a substantial group from Turkey, with more than 100 visitors cominghereontheinitiativeofafew exhibitors.Forthefirsttime,wealso havealargegroupfromIndia,which is probably due to word of mouth regardingthescientificprogramme. There are larger contingents of visi- tors from countries like Indonesia, Brunei and Cambodia. Also, Thai dentistshavecometoIDEMinlarger numbers. This shows that the reach of the event into the neighbouring countriesandmarketshasincreased andthisiswhatwewouldliketosee. There are many dentists from West- ern Australia, for example, too. The next show will be a special one because not only is it the tenthtimetheshowwillbeheld, but it also marks 20 years of the partnership between your com- pany and the Singapore Dental Association. What is in store for IDEM 2018 and what can visitors look forward to? Ithinkwewillcontinuetostrive for having the strongest confer- ence programme. We changed the organisation and content manage- ment side two years ago with Dr David Alexander from New York replacing Dr Choo Teck Chuan, who went into retirement, as con- ference director. While this year’s programme was a bit of a hybrid, Dr Alexander was able to give it a slightly different direction. For next time, we are considering whether to keep the system of dif- ferentpresentationsandforumsor tobringeverythingtogether.There was a suggestion yesterday from the Singapore Dental Association to involve all the specialist groups in Singapore more. We will defi- nitely look into this and evaluate it after the event with our partners. Thankyouverymuchforthein- terview and for a great event. 7 5 Michael Dreyer (second from right) with FDI president Patrick Hescot, Singapore Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong and SDA president Dr Kuan Chee Keong at the ribbon cutting on Friday (from left to right). 5 Stephen Jacques, Deputy Commercial Counselor of the US Commercial Service Singapore. “The reach of IDEM into the neighbouring countries and markets has increased” An interview with KoelnmesseVice President forAsia Pacific Michael Dreyer Booth 4M-22 Interdental Brushes Explore the range at www.tepe.com AD TDI0816_02_News 09.04.16 12:29 Seite 1 TDI0816_02_News 09.04.1612:29 Seite 1

today IDEM Singapore April 10, 2016

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