Imaging vendors explore Asian markets at ICR

Chinese imaging system sales, predictably, were a hot topic atthe International Congress of Radiology conference in Singaporelast week. Although market prospects remain enormous in China,vendors reported a softening of purchases in the latter part of1993, resulting from central government moves to cool the nation'soverheated economy.

India, the second largest Asian market in population terms,gained interest among vendors as its government moves to loosentrade restrictions. The Indian market lacks China's vitality butis more predictable.

Vendors are still waiting for the emergence of Indonesia. Thatisland nation has nearly 200 million people but one of the lowestdensities of imaging equipment in the region.

Among imaging modalities, CT sales are growing fastest in theAsia/Pacific region. Ultrasound has strong cost appeal. Furtherclinical training is needed for ultrasound to realize its regionalmarket potential, however. Nuclear medicine is the slowest modalityin Asia/Pacific. More nuclear specialists are needed, as wellas better access to radiopharmaceuticals.

The future of the ICR show itself came into question last week.A relatively small turnout of 2000 to 3000 physicians, coupledwith its high exhibition costs and closeness to the RadiologicalSociety of North America meeting, caused vendors to wonder ifthe next ICR will include a technical exhibition at all.