The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZ) has revealed its participation at this year’s edition of Arab Health, the largest gathering of healthcare and trade professionals in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, which will be held from January 29 to February 1, 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The move falls in line with DAFZ’s strategy to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI) coming from various industry verticals, including the rapidly growing healthcare segment, this is in addition to DAFZ’s support to the economic diversification policy of the UAE, by achieving the goals of Dubai Plan 2021 and prioritizing the development of global health system.
DAFZ aims through its participation in exhibition and congress, to contribute to the development of all aspects of the health sector and support Dubai Health Strategy 2021 which will position Dubai as a major national and regional treatment center over the coming years. During Arab Health 2018 DAFZ will showcase its services to more than 4,000 foreign and international companies from more than 150 countries around the world. The event will welcome over 100,000 visitors involved in the medical sector inclusive of services, goods, medical equipment and various treatments that contribute to the provision of therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative care and others.
Amna Lootah, Assistant Director General – Finance, Commercial & Customer relations Division Foster of DAFZ Innovation & Future Unit, said: “Our government is paying great attention to the healthcare sector and constantly updating its healthcare systems to meet the international standards and position Dubai globally in this sector. Overall, the UAE accounts for 26 per cent of the total healthcare spending of GCC governments. DAFZ is keen to empower this sector and enhance its growth through integrated solutions designed to attract investors to the industry which accounts for more than 5 per cent of the total number of companies the freezone hosts, of which 45 per cent are multinational companies.”
Lootah highlighted the importance of DAFZ’s participation in Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2018 and said,
“This exhibition is an ideal platform for interacting with major healthcare companies and healthcare specialists, showcasing the latest developments in the sector, and featuring DAFZ’s outstanding services. It is an excellent venue for identifying the most competitive features and smart solutions that are unique to current and potential customers who would like to establish or expand their businesses in Dubai and enter the regional markets”.
DAFZ plays a key role in supporting healthcare companies and professionals to provide a safe and healthy environment with high quality services. The freezone hosts several globally renowned healthcare players such as Actavis, Johnson & Johnson, Himalaya Drug Company, Terumo Medical Corporation, Roche, and Panasonic Healthcare.
It also pays special attention to companies that are involved in both the Halal and medical industries. The freezone recently issued its guide to halal industries in various sectors, particularly medical care and equipment and services. DAFZ is committed to helping companies related to the pharmaceutical and medical sectors obtain Halal certificates and meet international and local standards. Spanish KITS and Abbot Laboratories were the first two companies of their kind to obtain Halal certification from the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, as well as other international certificates in Halal industries.
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world and is a key contributor to the UAE economy. Alpen Capital Consulting Services said that the UAE’s healthcare market is expected to reach USD 19.5 billion (AED 71.5 billion) in 2020 at an average annual growth rate of 12.7 percent from 2015, which is marginally higher than the average growth rate in the rest of the GCC, noting that the market size in 2015 reached USD 10.7 billion.
