Press Release
01/02/03
Arab Health 2003
Trade Partners UK again supported a group
of British companies to participate in the Arab Health Exhibition
in Dubai from 26-29 January 2003. Of the 72 UK companies taking
part, 68 exhibited within the ABHI British pavilions located in
Halls 1 & 2 (Medlab, Pharmacy and Dentistry), 5 (International
Health Services) and 4. A large number of the companies (30) had
never exhibited at Arab Health before and found the exhibition a
key marketing tool to reach buyers and potential agents /
distributors from the UAE and surrounding regions.
Dedicated areas
The exhibition, which for the first time included dedicated areas
for Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory, Dentistry and International
Health Services, provided an important gateway into one of the
world's most important and growing healthcare markets. With the
market in this region becoming more competitive and buying cycles
in both the public and private sectors shortening, the exhibition
provided an ideal opportunity for British companies to display
their latest technology and equipment to prospective clients.
Attendance
The exhibition attracted 950 exhibitors from 50 countries including
21 national pavilions from countries such as Germany, France and
the USA. The visitor numbers were up 15% on last year with over
19,000 healthcare professionals, dealers and distributors attending
the show. Almost three quarters of these visitors came from the
Gulf (73%), out of which 40.7% came from the United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
Dubai Healthcare City
The event also gave exhibitors a chance to find out more about the
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), which aims to transform Dubai into a
hub for world-class healthcare in the region. The project, costing
US$1.8 billion, will include the construction of a 300-bed
university hospital; medical college; nursing school; centre for
life sciences research; up to 40 clinics and hospitals and
specialised laboratories.
DHCC will be established under an independent company set up by the
Dubai Development & Investment Authority (DDIA) and will be
completed by 2010. It will be located at the site that once hosted
the Global village (near the Wafi shopping conclave) and a number
of investors have already expressed an interest in aspects of the
project.
For further information on DHCC please contact the Commercial
Section, British Embassy in Dubai, PO Box 65, Dubai, UAE, Tel: 00
971 4 3971893, Fax: 00 971 4 3971095, Email: Darren.Forbes-Batey@fco.gov.uk
Exhibitor's Views
The British exhibitors were very happy with this year's event, as
they were able to meet a wide range of potential business contacts.
Tony Glynn of Del Mar Reynolds Medical Limited said, Arab Health
2003 was, as usual, a great success for Del Mar Reynolds Medical.
Visitors to the exhibition were again of a high quality and
included existing and potential customers. The exhibition was well
worth visiting for our customers and distributors and we will
definitely be attending in 2004."
Alan Barnett's comments of Tyco Healthcare were Arab Health 2003
was a great success for our company, it was a cost effective
opportunity to meet all of our existing distributors, and some
potential new ones. The ABHI was very supportive in the planning
and logistics required.
Neil Martin from Spenco said, Attending Arab Health 2003 as part of
the British Pavilion was an excellent way of promoting our
organisation within a region previously not aware of us. The help
provided by ABHI before, during and after the event helped
immensely in achieving our goal of obtaining agents and contacts
within the Middle East.
The ABHI will be organising another British Pavilion at Arab Health
2004 (18-21 January 2004) with Trade Partners UK support. Further
details on this are available from Lila Webley, Exhibitions
Manager at ABHI.
For details of the British Exhibitors at Arab Health 2003 please
visit the ABHI website.
Notes for editors: * The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical systems industry. This sector comprises not only manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, but also service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as regulatory consultants and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community.
* The ABHI represents approx. 200 member companies with a total domestic turnover of about £3 billion representing approx. 80% of the industry output.
* The membership currently includes several Special Interest Sections and four sectoral trade associations, which in turn have a further 400 member companies.
* Member list: www.abhi.org.uk
* The role of the Association is to:
- Advance and promote medical systems (devices, equipment, technologies and services) within the UK and globally.
- Provide a forum for policy discussion with the industry's customers, legislators, public bodies and interested groups.
For further information contact:
Daniel Jones: 020 7960 4360
Email: daniel.jones@abhi.org.uk
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