Healthcare Innovation in Malaysia: Healthcare Services, Digital Health, and Medical Device Opportunities

On behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we invite you to express your interest in attending “Healthcare Innovation in Malaysia: Healthcare Services, Digital Health, and Medical Device Opportunities”.

Join Tony Lombardo, Australia’s Business Champion for Malaysia and Group CEO & Managing Director, Lendlease; and Dell Kingsford Smith, VP, Medical Affairs, Market Access & Government Affairs, Cochlear Limited (Asia Pacific) for an executive briefing on opportunities for Australian businesses in Malaysia’s healthcare sector focusing on healthcare services, digital health and medical devices.

Malaysia is positioning itself as a leader in healthcare service delivery and innovation, from investments in advanced cancer treatment facilities to cutting-edge digital health solutions and world-class medical device manufacturing. Malaysia has a well-developed private healthcare market with high quality services and is expanding its medical tourism and integrated health and aged offerings.

Malaysia’s strong manufacturing base and policy incentives are driving its evolution into a major production hub for medical devices. With new policies and incentives designed to encourage foreign investment and digital development, Australian businesses can play a role in Malaysia’s healthcare transformation while gaining access to a dynamic and growing market.

Gain insights into Malaysia’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector, explore trade and investment opportunities and learn about the advantages of Malaysia as a business destination. This event supports Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 by fostering deeper trade and investment ties with Malaysia in priority sectors such as healthcare and digital innovation.

Event Details​​​​​​​

Date:                 Wednesday 30 July 2025

Time:                Arrival and lunch from 2.30pm – 2.45pm. Discussion at 2.45pm – 4.15pm 

Venue:              Sydney CBD

To express your interest in attending, please complete the form below.

As this is an invitation-only event, we will review submissions and contact eligible organisations with further details. Places are limited and we are prioritising submissions from Australian businesses with an interest in healthcare. Expression of interest does not guarantee attendance.

We look forward to the opportunity to connect with you. For any queries, please contact asialinkbusiness-events@unimelb.edu.au

Tony Lombardo, Australian Business Champion for Malaysia | Group CEO & Managing Director, Lendlease

Tony Lombardo has more than 28 years’ experience working across real estate development, investment management, finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and strategy in Australia and internationally.

Tony joined Lendlease in 2007 as Group Head of Strategy and M&A where he led a number of initiatives including refocusing the Group's overall business strategy. In 2011, he was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer and played a key role in enhancing the flexibility of the Group’s capital structure via a stapled structure as well as significantly broadening its funding and banking relationships. He also implemented a range of people focused initiatives including creation of the Young Indigenous Pathways program, which provides mentoring opportunities for young Indigenous students. 

In 2016, Tony was appointed Chief Executive Officer Asia based in Singapore. As part of resetting Lendlease Asia’s growth strategy, Tony spearheaded a number of major initiatives to drive future growth. Recent successes include the completion of Singapore’s S$3.7 billion Paya Lebar Quarter mixed-use development, establishment of a US$1 billion data centres joint venture with a large institutional investor and the successful listing of S$1 billion global LREIT on the Singapore Exchange. 

Clare Duffield, Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Economic, Communications and Analytics Branch, DFAT 

Clare Duffield, Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Economic, Communications and Analytics Branch, DFAT. She is responsible for policy development and implementation across the political, economic and development relationship with Indonesia. Ms Duffield has served overseas as Head of the Political and Public Affairs Section at the Australian Embassy in Manila, as an advisor on agricultural trade at the Australian Embassy Jakarta, Executive Officer to the head of AusAID in Indonesia, and as Second Secretary in New Delhi.  

Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink Business

Leigh Howard is the CEO of Asialink Business, Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability, and one of Australia’s leading voices on international business. A passionate advocate for Australian business success in Asian markets, Leigh spent 20 years in Asia as a corporate leader and entrepreneur.

Leigh previously held senior executive roles with digital giant TradingPost.com and ASX-listed staffing company Talent2. He also served as Victoria's Deputy Commissioner to Southeast Asia. Leigh actively contributes to organisations shaping Australia-Asia business relations, including as a Founding Board Director of AustCham ASEAN, Advisory Board Member for the Australia-Vietnam Policy Institute and ex-Chair of the Malaysia Australia Business Council. Globally recognised, Leigh was invited to join the B20 Taskforce for Digital Transformation in 2023 and again in 2024.