Dubai, UAE –24 January – With exports exceeding AED13.3bn to the UAE in 2013, it’s no wonder that a record number of Welsh companies are attending Arab Health, running 26th – 29th January in Dubai. Thirty two delegates from sixteen businesses and organisations are participating in the Welsh Government supported trade mission, with twelve companies exhibiting on the UK pavilion – one of the biggest stands at the event with 1600 sq m of exhibition space.
Exports from Wales to the Middle East have grown six fold in ten years. And the strategically important healthcare sector is helping to make the UAE the third largest export market globally with over AED51.55bn in products and services exported since 2004. According to Lee Jennings, the Welsh Government’s Regional Manager, “growth in exports from Wales continue to outperform the rest of the UK at 11.2% compared to just 0.4% across the rest of Britain, and we see the growth in the Middle East healthcare market, which we expect to be worth $60 billion by 2025, as one of the key drivers.
Added to this with the very strong historical ties that exist between the UAE and leading Welsh Academic Institutions, with so many Emirati students studying in Wales, we believe that the Healthcare industry will continue to flourish in both countries”.
Participating companies include Frio UK Ltd that develops and manufactures a range of cooling units, including the Patented FRÍO Insulin Medication Cooler. The FRÍO Cooling Wallet provides freedom to diabetics and people suffering from medical conditions who rely on temperature sensitive medication. The FRÍO Wallet will keep medication cool, safe and protected, even in extreme temperatures, which is ideal for Gulf countries which has some of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. Also on display for the first time in the Middle East will be the recently developed and patented Reno Power Chair, developed and manufactured by Roma Medical, established in 1970. This is a durable indoor / outdoor wheelchair and the first of its type to pass a road safety crash Test.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said; “This event offers an exciting opportunity for businesses of all sizes to increase their export activity by connecting with businesses in the Life Sciences sector from around the world. It is a key event for the sector and the Welsh Government is supporting companies to either exhibit at Arab Health or visit as part of a trade mission and I am delighted at the take up.”
The Welsh Government is also looking to attract foreign companies wishing to set-up and invest in Wales, which serves as a perfect gateway to the lucrative European market by establishing a £100 million life science equity investment fund. Underlying its commitment to making Wales the best possible environment for Life Sciences innovation and business growth by supporting the creation of a central hub resource, connecting academics, clinicians, entrepreneurs and investors and linking them to international partners across Europe and beyond.
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