Fertility f irm reproduces Asia success

HAPPY mums and their new babies were the guests of honour at the first birthday party of Fertility Associates’ Malaysian clinic.

Now the Kiwi firm is planning on reproducing the success of its first international foray in several other countries.

Chief executive Alex Price said Fertility Associates already had five clinics in the main centres of New Zealand, limiting growth prospects.

The Malaysian clinic, near Kuala Lumpur, was the first in a network of planned clinics in the area, he said.

‘‘We are hoping to do something still this year. If it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll happen next year.’’

While fertility treatment costs thousands of dollars, Malaysia’s middle class is growing fast.

Price said in vitro fertilisation (IVF) became an option for those who earned around $100 a day of disposable income.

The main factors underpinning demand for fertility treatment were higher incomes, urbanisation and better education levels for women, said Price.

‘‘If you look at those indicators across all the major ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] markets, you tend to see those trends.’’

Price said the company also planned to set up shop in Thailand, Indonesia or Singapore within the next year or two.

Indonesia’s huge population and high consumer confidence made it attractive, and Thailand was a gateway to several frontier states.

While Singapore’s population was barely bigger than New Zealand, its GDP per capita was much higher than the other ASEAN members.

‘‘We’re actually pursuing initiatives in all those markets,’’ said Price. ‘‘At the end of the day, the one that works will be the next one.’’

He said it was critical that the company maintained quality of service as it expanded.