The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance said Tuesday it received a $200,000 Commerce Department award to help increase medical imaging equipment exports and help open access to markets in China and India.

The medical equipment trade group was one of five non-profit organizations to snag an award from the Market Development Cooperator Program, which is run by the International Trade Administration, a Commerce agency.

Its agreement with Commerce, dubbed the Global Diagnostic and Therapeutic Imaging Access Improvement Initiative, lasts three years and involves receiving financial and technical assistance from ITA to help make member imaging companies more competitive globally.
It will also look to help harmonize international standards and reduce unnecessary regulation. MITA hopes to work closely with Chinese and Indian regulators throughout the program.

"This funding and partnership will enhance MITA members' ability to bring innovative imaging technologies to market, improve global access to life-saving therapies and diagnostic equipment and create good-paying jobs right here at home," Dave Fisher, executive director with MITA, said in a statement.

The five projects could create or sustain about 10,000 American jobs, according to a statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank.

More Industry Headlines