The Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, Dubai, UAE, was once again the focus for the world’s healthcare sector in January. Now in its 35th year, the show achieved an estimated 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers. Highlighting the increasingly important role played by the Middle East healthcare industry, healthcare authorities, medical device manufacturers, medical supply distributors and healthcare professionals from across the region and the globe convened in Dubai for Arab Health 2010. Held at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 25 – 28 January, the organiser, IIR Middle East, was delighted with the success of the 2010 show.

“We are thrilled that the region’s healthcare industry, once again, chose Arab Health as a platform for seeking regional and international partners in this burgeoning sector,” said Simon Page, Director of the Life Sciences Division of IIR Middle East. “Demand for healthcare is growing driven by aging populations and life-style related diseases such as diabetes, particularly in the UAE and Gulf Region. Governments are being forced to tackle this issue head on which ultimately means a lot more investment in the healthcare infrastructure in these countries.

“In spite of significant project delays in other non-healthcare industry sectors, the pipeline of healthcare projects in the region remains remarkably robust, particularly for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This has been reflected in the growth in the exhibitor, visitor and delegate numbers for this year’s Arab Health.

“With the additional four new halls to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Arab Health 2010 had, for the first time in several years, the opportunity to grow and become an even bigger event. It meant that many existing clients had the opportunity to expand their stands, whilst new companies, not previously able to participate at the event, were be able to join us in Dubai for this year’s event.”

“With the opening of the new Sheikh Saeed halls providing a further 20,000 m², as estimated, Arab Health 2010 grew by more than 20 per cent in size from last year,” Page added. “Arab Health touches all aspects of the healthcare industry in the Middle East. Tens of thousands of medical professionals, government officials, wholesalers, dealers and distributors converged on the Dubai International Exhibition Centre for the region’s main event for the healthcare industry.”

For many visitors, this was their first experience at Arab Health. For others, they return to the event year-on-year to network with distributors and manufacturers from across the globe.

“This was my first time at the Arab Health Exhibition and I was very impressed with the exhibition. I have made contact with many valuable distributors which was excellent in terms of building business relationships,” said G. Sudhakar, from the Haji Pharmacy in Dubai.

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