ATSA joins healthcare trader giving AT buyers and sellers access to the international market. Global Healthcare Trader (GHT) is a new promotional vehicle for companies looking to find distributors from around the world. The agreement will help Assistive Technology Suppliers Australasia (ATSA) members deal with the changing markets happening within their industry.

As an introduction to the new web portal, the ATSA committee is inviting ‘expressions of interest’ from business who want to export their products through the GHT site, which is free of fees and charges* for six months to trial the platform and provide feedback to the committee. The cut-off date to sign up is April 12, 2017.

ATSA executive officer, David Sinclair said the timing could not be better as it coincides with the changing market of assistive technology (AT) in Australia with the onset of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) and Aged Care Reforms. He said by joining the GHT initiative, ATSA expects to assist its members develop their business by providing a gateway to the global offerings and a greater choice of AT solutions to the Australasian community. “ATSA anticipates that working with GHT will result in success for suppliers, the organisations and ultimately provide a greater choice of AT for the people who count, the end user,” Sinclair said.

“The Australian Government has legislated to promote the provision of high quality and innovative supports that enable people with disability to maximise independent lifestyles and inclusion in the community.” This is a major shift from a historic environment of government contracts based on ‘bulk’ style procurement models with the lowest price in mind, to a consumer-directed model that empowers the participant to purchase the AT that enables them to live the way they choose, he said.

The main features of the platform are:

o   A simple search facility that enables companies looking to import new products to find businesses searching for partners

o   Companies select the countries where they are looking for a distributor

o   Companies can select up to 10 product categories to list under

o   Company profiles on the site can be updated as necessary

GHT said the portal will be promoted to over 5000 companies in 100 countries. GHT has been developed by UK based company BHTA’s commercial arm, BHTA Engage.

*The fees and charges relate to the use of the website only. Any costs incurred to engage an export opportunity is at a cost to the business concerned.