Washington life science delegation taps global growth opportunities in Dusseldorf, Germany this week

Commerce promoting small businesses to potential foreign partners and customers, including arranged meetings with delegations from Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Wales at world’s largest medical industry event.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce kicked off several days of international business-to-business meetings today to showcase the state’s life sciences industry at MEDICA, the world’s largest trade show for the medical technology sector. Product categories represented in the delegation include genetics, health information technology and software, international product licensing, medical devices, surgical instruments, therapeutics and ultrasound technology.

Medical and pharma exports from Washington reached almost $3 billion in 2017. In addition to pre-arranged activities, companies have opportunities to meet one-on-one with U.S. Commercial Service specialists stationed in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Companies flying the Choose Washington state flag with Commerce:

Profiles of companies in the state delegation are featured on Commerce’s website and in a downloadable Exhibitor Directory. The MEDICA event has 5,000 exhibitors and attracts over 123,000 industry professionals from 130 countries. The delegation is supported in part with funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

Commerce has the most successful STEP program in the country, providing services to help small businesses expand through international trade and exports. Exhibiting companies in this year’s delegation receive assistance from Commerce and a contracted representative firm in Europe. Support includes help promoting their products and services to potential partners and buyers. Companies can also take advantage of reimbursement-style vouchers to help offset their costs. Visit the Commerce website to learn more about how the state’s export assistance programs help create new market opportunities and partnerships.