STATE-OF-THE-ART laboratories are now an integral part of manufacturing and services outfits. For a start, reliable readings often mean cost savings and healthier profits. Concern for product quality and safety, workplace safety, greater environmental awareness and meeting ISO standards are some of the other issues that have driven companies to set up their own laboratories.

From multinationals to small-and medium-enterprises (SMEs), more industrial players are setting up in-house laboratories to do physical and chemical testing in their production chain – from raw material to final output, and even product wastes.

As Malaysia continues to capture a larger slice of the life-sciences market (including healthcare and biotechnology), one can expect higher demand for scientific measurement instruments and consultancy. Annual sales of laboratory equipment-cum-machinery in Malaysia is estimated to be more than RM500 million.

And with biotechnology poised to drive the next wave of knowledge-based industries in Malaysia, there will be increased demand for high-precision laboratory equipment. The National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) sets the direction for the industry and offers tax breaks for private investments. The Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) will focus on implementing the NBP to develop Malaysia's niches in agriculture biotechnology, healthcare-related biotechnology, industrial biotechnology and bioinformatics.

For Malaysia, growth in this sector means wealth creation, new investment and employment opportunities, as well as social and environmental benefits. As such, the government will continue to support this sector.

With the set-up of the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Malaysia is set to participate actively in one of the fastest growing markets in the world; one with a global market capitalisation of US$700 billion and an annual turnover of US$50 billion.

Additionally, government-backed research institutions like Malaysian Agricultural Research Development Institute (MARDI), Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRI), Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Palm Oil Research Institute Malaysia (PORIM), Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic System (MIMOS), SIRIM Berhad and the Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology (MINT) are expected to maintain a constant demand for a wide range of laboratory equipment.

With the tide of industrial progress sweeping across Malaysia, and as industries push the boundaries of quality and efficiency, there will be enormous demand for accurate and reliable laboratory instruments and equipment.
Manufacturers and suppliers of laboratory instruments can expect a sharp rise in demand for their technology even as Malaysia embarks on the implementation of its Third Industrial Masterplan (IMP 2006-2020) whereby 12 industries have been identified for further promotion: electrical and electronics, medical devices, textiles and apparels, machinery and equipment, metals industry, transport equipment, petro-chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wood-based products, rubber and rubber-based products, oil palm-based industries, food processing

Every industry will require laboratory testing and calibration in their production process.

As a unique exhibition specialising in laboratory technology and targeted at end users, Laboratory 2008 will draw targeted visitors - professionals and business decision makers - from various manufacturing and services sectors. A conference is being planned to boost the number and the quality of visitors.

What’s more, Laboratory 2008 will be held concurrently with our globally recognised 9th International Exhibition & Conference on Instrumentation, Control and Automation Technology (ICA) 2008 exhibition. ICA is endorsed by the World-Fairs on Instruments, Measurement and Automation (World-FIMA) as the most important fair focusing on instrument and measurement in Malaysia. It has attracted thousands of professionals and trade visitors from the manufacturing and service sectors.

This is non exhaustive and is only intended to be a guide.

Apparatus, Analysers, Autoclaves, Balances, Biotechnology Equipment, Calorimeters, Cell Counters, Chemicals, Chromatographs, Circulators, Clean Room, Colorimeters, Computer Systems and Software, Conductivity Equipment, Distillers, Filtration Equipment, Furnaces, Heating Systems, Humidity Meters, Incubators, Laboratory Automation, Laboratory Wares, Microscopes, Monitors & Controllers, Oil Baths, Oscilloscopes, Particles Counters, Pipettes, Pumps, pH Instruments, Spectrometers, Ultrasonic Instruments, Water Purification Equipment, and MORE

As the organiser of globally recognised events, we are aware of what it takes to have another highly successful exhibition. A comprehensive promotion and publicity campaign is being planned to attract top class professional and trade visitors. The campaign includes:

• News releases and press events
• High level contacts between organisers and government agencies
• Several conferences and workshops
• Advertisements in major print and electronic media, trade and scientific journals
• Direct mail
• Newsletters
• Emails