Gyeonggi Province has once again underscored its commitment to the burgeoning medical tourism sector by participating in the Kazakhstan International Exhibition Tourism & Travel (KITF), the largest event of its kind in Central Asia. The province stood out as the sole representative from South Korean local governments at the prestigious exhibition held in Almaty from May 23rd to 25th.
This year marks Gyeonggi Province's 11th consecutive participation since 2012, a testament to its long-term strategy in attracting international patients. The only interruption in this consistent presence was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, when the exhibition was temporarily suspended.
The KITF, held at the Atakent Exhibition Center in Almaty, Kazakhstan's economic heartland, drew significant attention from healthcare professionals, tourism agencies, and related industry stakeholders from Kazakhstan, neighboring Uzbekistan, Russia, and even European nations like Turkey.
A strong contingent of 11 prominent medical institutions from Gyeonggi Province joined the delegation, showcasing the region's advanced medical capabilities and services. These included leading hospitals such as Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital of Catholic University, St. Vincent's Hospital of Catholic University, Ajou University Hospital, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Myongji Hospital, Jisaem Hospital, the Suwon branch of the Korea Medical Institute (KMI), Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, and Saguaro Dental Hospital.
The Gyeonggi Province booth proved to be a popular hub throughout the three-day exhibition, attracting over 2,000 visitors. The participation yielded tangible results, with numerous consultations taking place between the visiting medical institutions and international healthcare agencies. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were also signed, paving the way for future collaborations and patient referrals.
Building momentum ahead of the KITF, Gyeonggi Province also organized the '2025 Medical Gyeonggi Business Forum' in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, on May 21st. This dedicated forum facilitated direct one-on-one business meetings between representatives from Gyeonggi's medical facilities and Kazakhstani agencies specializing in sending patients abroad for treatment.
The Astana forum witnessed strong attendance, with approximately 50 patient referral agencies from the capital and surrounding regions participating. The event served as an invaluable platform to showcase Gyeonggi's cutting-edge medical technologies and foster meaningful networking opportunities between the healthcare providers and international facilitators.
Eom Won-ja, the Head of the Medical Resources Division for Gyeonggi Province, highlighted the consistent flow of Kazakhstani patients seeking specialized medical care in the region. "We have seen a steady influx of patients from Kazakhstan, particularly for critical care and comprehensive internal medicine check-ups," she noted. "Moving forward, we are committed to strengthening our close cooperation with Kazakhstan in the healthcare sector. This will serve as a crucial foundation for establishing Gyeonggi Province as a leading destination that drives the 'Medical Gyeonggi Korean Wave'."
Kazakhstan holds significant importance for Gyeonggi's medical tourism industry. In 2024, it ranked as the third-largest source of international patients visiting the province, with 6,593 Kazakhstani individuals among the total of 51,184 foreign patients. The active engagement between the two regions is further evidenced by ongoing government-level cooperation projects, policy exchanges, and collaborations between medical institutions, including medical training programs for Kazakhstani healthcare professionals.
Gyeonggi Province's proactive participation in international events like KITF and the organization of dedicated business forums underscore its strategic vision to solidify its position as a premier medical tourism destination in Northeast Asia, leveraging its advanced medical infrastructure and strong international partnerships. The continued focus on key markets like Kazakhstan promises to further strengthen these ties and attract a growing number of international patients seeking high-quality medical care.
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