PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The Department of Community and Economic Development is coordinating a delegation of Pennsylvania companies to attend Arab Health 2010 in January, the largest trade exhibition devoted to health care in the Middle East,Secretary George Cornelius said today.
No DCED staff will attend, Cornelius noted. All over seas assistance and coordination for participants will be handled by the state's authorized trade representative for the region.
"The United Arab Emirates is a key gateway into Middle East andSouth Asian markets," Cornelius said. "This trade show gives Pennsylvania healthcare executives thechance to explore multiple markets with assistance from Pennsylvania's authorized trade representative based in Dubai."
This will be the third year that DCED has organized participationin the conference, which provides access to some of the most important and influential decisionmakers in the Arab world for manufacturers of medical, pharmaceutical or rehabilitationequipment/supplies, and medical-related technology and services companies.
Four companies thatparticipated have attributed $11.8 million in sales of their specialty medical equipment, surgicalsupplies and respiratory products directly to the conference.
Exports from Pennsylvania to theUnited Arab Emirates amounted to $317 million in 2008 , an increase of 123 percent from the prior year.
"Global economic challenges notwithstanding, spending on health care in the region hascontinued to rise, and demand for the latest products and health care innovations provide an excellent opportunity for Pennsylvania health care companies seeking new market outlets," Corneliussaid.
DCED's Office of International Business Development has contracts with representatives in 23 countries to provide in-country assistance, market intelligence, and help to identify overseaspartners for Pennsylvania companies.
Companies participating in the Jan. 25-28 conference inDubai, United Arab Emirates, will have the opportunity to meet buyers from the Middle East, Asia andAfrica who are interested in all aspects of the health care industry. In 2009, Arab Heath attractedmore than 50,000 decision makers and 2,500 exhibitors from 65 countries.
In addition to the exhibition space, participants can expect a schedule of face-to-face business appointments withpre-screened and qualified business prospects arranged by the common wealth's Dubai-based trader epresentative.
"Exports from Pennsylvania firms play an increasingly important role in thestate's economy," Cornelius said. "More than 12,000 Pennsylvania exporters shipped $34.4 billionworth of goods in 2008, an increase of nearly 18 percent over 2007, and well above the national 11.8percent increase among all U.S. states."