Austrade media release5 December 2005
The winning of a $6.6 million hospital license and service agreement in Thailand by Australian eHealth service provider, IBA Health Limited, highlights the success that companies can enjoy in Thailand, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, Senator Sandy Macdonald, said today.
“By international standards, IBA is a relatively small IT company and to be considered as the best provider in this field by a major Thailand hospital, is testament to the credentials of both IBA’s ability and to Australian credibility,” Senator Macdonald said.
“IBA’s winning of the Siriraj Hospital open tender is an excellent example of how highly innovative Australian service providers can succeed against international competition.
IBA’s Administrative, Clinical and Electronic Health Record technology will be used by health professionals at Siriraj Hospital to develop and improve medical services, support of research, care giving and the creation of a patient database as well as to create linkages with medical institutes at regional and international levels allowing Siriraj to become the hub of medical care within the region.
“IBA’s achievement shows the diversity of opportunities in the Thai market. It is not just commodities where Australian companies can succeed. It’s also an indication that business can be won if your product has a competitive advantage and satisfies the needs of the Thai company.
“The relationship between Australia and Thailand is strong and growing stronger with the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) and other cooperative ventures. There has been an overall improvement in forming business relationships in Thailand as a result of the TAFTA which came into force on 1 January, 2005.
“The TAFTA has raised the level of awareness of Australia as a business partner and the willingness of Thai companies to deal with Australian companies in areas that were not previously thought of,” he said.
Senator Macdonald congratulated the Australian Government’s export promotion agency Austrade in assisting IBA secure their success.
“Austrade provided in-market advice on cultural issues, providing translation services for documents. Austrade is now working with IBA to position them for a number of large projects in Thailand through connecting IBA with senior government officials and hospital contacts,” he said.
IBA is Australia’s largest Australian Stock Exchange listed eHealth company and Siriraj Hospital is Thailand’s leading tertiary referral and teaching hospital with 2,636 beds servicing 1.6 million outpatients and 80,000 in-patients annually
Media ContactRachel Kingsford Smith (Senator’s office)
Tel: 0408 019 537
Karla Davies (Austrade)
Tel: 0421 288 755
|