• Dubai and Hamburg chambers in partnership with Norgenta North German Life Science Agency organise networking meeting on the sidelines of Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2012
  • Buamim: Dubai offers ample opportunities for growth in the healthcare sector which is an important contributor to the Emirate’s economy
  • Al Gurg: Dubai Healthcare City boasts of 2,500 healthcare professionals and over 90 medical facilities
  • CEO of Hamburg Chamber: The Arab Health exhibition highlights Dubai’s role as a global hub for healthcare business

Dubai, UAE: Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Norgenta North German Life Science Agency hosted the 3rd round of the Arab Health Connect 2012 networking dinner at Mina A’Salam Hotel on Sunday.

The networking event, held on the sidelines of the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2012, was organised as part of the Dubai and Hamburg chambers’ strategic partnership. It allowed both the chambers to consolidate their healthcare ties and to discuss bilateral cooperation in light of the importance of the sector for the two cities.

H.E. Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber, welcomed the gathering while Mrs Raja Al Gurg, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, gave an industry outlook on healthcare in Dubai. H.E. Prof Dr Schmidt Trenz, CEO, Hamburg Chamber, delivered the opening remarks and the keynote address was delivered by Ms Cornelia Pruefer Storcks, Senator, Hamburg Health and Consumer Protection.

The networking meeting was attended by Dubai Chamber members from the healthcare sector as well as the visiting German delegates to the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2012.

In his welcome address, H.E. Buamim informed that Dubai and Hamburg chambers have been exploring joint collaborations for investment opportunities in Dubai, which offers an excellent gateway into emerging markets across the Middle East, Asia and Africa while also looking at the technology and expertise of Hamburg for developing specialised medical services in the Emirate.

His Excellency further stressed that the Dubai government is not only making a concerted effort to improve public health but is also focussing on how to improve healthcare provision in order to meet demands created by Dubai’s growing population. “This is generating new investment opportunities for traders with regard to developing business synergies and knowledge sharing while people are encouraged to lead healthier lifestyles which all serve to make Dubai a healthier place to live and work on the back of a strong economy,” he said.

His Excellency pointed out that working with Hamburg companies, Dubai businesses can benefit from the expertise and experience of their German counterparts in the field of advanced health care by attracting medical professionals as the Emirate offers ample opportunities for growth in the healthcare sector which is an important contributor to Dubai’s economy.

On her part, Mrs Raja Al Gurg, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Dubai Healthcare Authority, in her industry outlook on healthcare stated that as one of the Middle East’s most developed markets, Dubai boasts strong and high quality healthcare both in terms of government-funded and private sector provision.

“Dubai relies heavily on imported healthcare and pharmaceutical products from abroad. Since 2003, Dubai’s imports of pharmaceutical products have risen from AED 800 million to AED 3 billion in 2010, while at the same time, exports have grown from AED 100 million to AED 400 million,” she said.

Mrs Al Gurg further added that this reliance on foreign imports helps Dubai to play its role as a leading re-export hub as the Emirate can seek to further expand trade relationships in terms of increasing the volume of pharmaceutical goods traded and the introduction of new products and supplies to the region. She also highlighted the importance of Dubai as a leading market for pharmaceutical products offering excellent infrastructure which attracts manufacturers and traders to the Emirate.

“Dubai is working hard to improve its business environment as new laws are being drafted to improve the ease of doing business which will give the healthcare sector a boost while the upcoming requirement for mandatory medical insurance will provide a major incentive for residents to seek high class medical treatment in the Emirate,” she said.

Highlighting the importance of health tourism, Mrs Al Gurg stated that foreign patients are attracted to Dubai because of the facilities available in Dubai Healthcare City, which boasts 2,500 healthcare professionals and over 90 medical facilities, including many major national and international healthcare brands.

H.E. Prof Dr Schmidt Trenz, CEO, Hamburg Chamber, who thanked Dubai Chamber for developing a strong bilateral relationship with Hamburg, lauded its role in hosting the 3rd Dubai Hamburg Business Forum last month and now the Arab Health Connect which he said will help the two sides to further interact and deepen their trade ties.

Prof Dr Schmidt Trenz added that the participation of around 100 German delegates to the annual Arab Health exhibition not only shows the importance of the health care event but also showcases Dubai’s economic potential and its role as an internationally renowned hub for healthcare business.

“The healthcare sector in the Middle East is facing a number of challenges including the lack of availability of qualified medical staff and the threat of chronic diseases like diabetes, which can be overcome through the appropriate training of the medical staff while educating people about the consequences of their lifestyle choices.

Ms Cornelia Pruefer Storcks, Senator, Hamburg Health and Consumer Protection, who announced the launch of the Hamburg Healthcare Industry Service Centre which opened its doors in Dubai on Sunday, informed that the Centre is supported by the European Union and will facilitate the transnational cooperation of small and medium-sized enterprises from the field of medical technology and their partners in the Gulf region. This landmark launch will further enhance the cooperation of Northern Germany and the Arab region through Dubai, she said.

Ms Storcks added that Northern Germany is one of the leading centres for medical technology. She also said that in the last decade the collaboration of Northern Germany with its regional partners in the healthcare sector has prospered as about 400 patients from the Arab region are being treated in the University Clinics of Hamburg each year and more than 100 in the University Clinics of Schleswig-Holstein while 30 visiting Arab physicians were given scholarship for specialised courses last year.

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