Where you can invest.

Australian health products and services enjoy a strong worldwide reputation and are applicable to Asian health needs. We profile market trends in key Asian nations and highlight investment opportunities for Australian companies.

CHINA

China's strained health-care system serves a huge population with high demand for medical equipment and pharmaceuticals but a limited ability to pay. The health system is characterised by low average standards of care and limited expenditure.

Market trends:

* High-technology medical imports: Valued at around A$1.5 billion in 1996. Estimated to now be worth more.

* Pharmaceutical: Sales of around A$25 billion in 1996. Reforms are reshaping drug consumption structure - as a result, more people are expected to turn to self-medication.

Opportunities for Australia:

Most sectors offer hope, including health/medical insurance, and supply of medical information technology equipment.

HONG KONG

The standard of medical and health services in Hong Kong has improved and is now closer to Western standards. The outlook for the medical equipment market is encouraging.

Market trends:

* Limited domestic production of medical...