The United States hit the ground running at Arab Health 2024 yesterday with some 230 exhibitors looking to build on the nation’s well-established footprint in the booming health and medical markets of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Driven by growing populations, demographic shifts, and a corresponding rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression, the value of the healthcare market in the U.A.E. alone in 2022 totaled $1.83 billion and is predicted to nearly double by 2030 to $3.59 billion, according to the U.S.-UAE Business Council. The strong U.S. showing at Arab Health underscores America’s long-standing commitment to help its partners throughout the region meet this unprecedented demand for quality hospitals, clinics, equipment, and health care professionals.
The centerpiece of the U.S. national presence at the show is the USA Partnership Pavilion, organized for the 29th consecutive edition by Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in coordination with government agencies, including the U.S. departments of Commerce and State, and industry leaders including AmCham Dubai and the U.S-UAE Business Council. The Pavilion is America’s headquarters on-site, occupying an area of more than 4000 square meters, it is a high-profile showcase for U.S. exhibitors to maximize their success at the event, and a forum for all to share ideas and insights.
The Pavilion roster includes 41 first time exhibitors at the show and 32 that are new to the market. A total of 27 states are represented, including nine stand-alone state pavilions — California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, and Ohio — within the larger U.S. space. All are looking to generate new business and create jobs by growing exports, expanding their in-region footprint, and/or recruiting overseas partners to establish or participate in stateside operations.
“Now more than ever, success in international trade comes from partnership and teamwork. The USA Partnership Pavilion sharpens our focus on advancing America’s leadership in healthcare and medicine to help improve patient outcomes and quality of life around the world,” said Kallman Worldwide President and CEO, Tom Kallman. “From world-class hospitals to equipment, instrument, and device manufacturers, and even decontamination and materials management services, many of our exhibitors already have significant partnerships and operations in the UAE and MENA region. In the years to come, many more will.”
In virtually all sectors represented at Arab Health 2024, the role of artificial intelligence as an accelerator of innovation in healthcare and medicine figured prominently in presentations and conversations on the show’s opening day. Speaking on a panel discussion at AmCham Dubai’s “Arab Health Kickoff Breakfast,” Dr. Tao Xu, Associate Professor, Mount Sinai Health System, helped set the stage with this prescription for clinical applications of AI innovations.
“The world of AI and digital enhancement has accelerated its presence in clinical medicine,” said Dr. Xu, “and there is a wealth of opportunities to smartly but carefully integrate the two to improve patient outcomes as well as provider and patient experiences.”