ABHI UK Pavilion brings best of UK HealthTech innovation to the Middle East

The UK’s leading HealthTech Trade As­sociation, Association of British Health-Tech Industries (ABHI), is set to highlight the excellence of UK HealthTech innova­tion at two premier healthcare trade shows in the Middle East: The Global Health Exhibition in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh from 21-23 October 2024, and Arab Health in Dubai from 27-30 January 2025. These events represent significant opportunities for UK companies to tap into the booming healthcare market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where de­mand for innovative health technologies is rapidly growing.

The MENA healthcare market: Opportunities and growth
The MENA region is experiencing an un­precedented growth in its healthcare sec­tor, driven by factors such as rapid popu­lation growth, increasing life expectancy, and a rising prevalence of chronic and non-communicable diseases. The health­care market in this region is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%, reaching $243.6 bil­lion by 2023, double the growth rate of the global healthcare market. This burgeoning demand presents a lucrative opportunity for UK HealthTech companies to intro­duce their innovative solutions to a rapidly expanding market.

Global Health Exhibition 2024 in Saudi Arabia
The Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, taking place from 21-23 October 2024, is a key event where ABHI will host the UK Pavilion. This exhibition has earned a reputation as the largest annual health­care gathering in Saudi Arabia, attracting over 51,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibiting companies. The move to a larger exhibi­tion space in Malham, Riyadh, reflects the event’s growing significance.

Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is poised for a digital transformation, driven by ambitious initiatives under Vision 2030 to increase private sector contribution to 50%. This transformation aims to mod­ernise healthcare services, enhance ef­ficiency, and improve the quality of care across the Kingdom. The demand for high-quality medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health technologies presents a valuable opportunity for UK companies to showcase their expertise and establish new partnerships.

Michelle Michelucci, commenting on the Global Health Exhibition, said: “The Global Health Exhibition, under the pa­tronage of the Saudi Ministry of Health, presents an unparalleled opportunity for UK companies looking to expand their presence in the Kingdom. Building on the success of last year’s event in Riyadh, we are thrilled to once again showcase an exceptional delegation of UK companies. This platform promises abundant opportu­nities for our businesses to thrive and grow within this dynamic market.”

Arab Health 2025: Celebrating 50 years of innovation
As the largest healthcare trade show in the Middle East, Arab Health offers an unparal­leled platform for UK HealthTech compa­nies to expand their international reach and engage with key decision-makers across the MENA region. The 2024 edition of Arab Health saw participation from over 130,000 professionals from more than 190 countries, with over 3,600 exhibitors generating $2.46 billion in business. The upcoming 2025 edi­tion, marking the show’s 50th anniversary, promises to be even more significant, with UK companies invited to secure their spots at this landmark event.

Michelucci emphasised the importance of this event: “The UK is a key player in the drive to improve patient care around the world through the development and implementation of new technologies. Arab Health offers an exceptional platform for UK HealthTech innovators to showcase their solutions, build international part­nerships, and explore new business oppor­tunities in the region.”

For 20 years, the ABHI UK Pavilion has been a prominent feature at Arab Health, underscoring the strong relationship be­tween the UK and UAE. The 2024 show featured 150 leading HealthTech com­panies from the UK, showcasing ground­breaking solutions and participating in seminars, workshops, and discussions that highlighted thought leadership and fos­tered partnerships.

Showcasing UK innovation
The ABHI UK Pavilion at Arab Health 2025 will once again bring together the UK’s leading HealthTech small and medi­um-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their innovative technologies. The Pavilion will feature a diverse array of HealthTech solutions, from state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment to advancements in surgery, orthopaedics, and wellness.

A highlight of the UK Pavilion will be a simulated operating theatre, where leading UK hospitals and clinicians will demonstrate surgical procedures using the latest medical technologies. This live demonstration will offer a unique platform for UK clinicians to showcase their skills and for technology pro­viders to engage and educate visitors.

The role of public-private partnerships
Investment by governments and increased involvement of the private sector are cru­cial to meeting the healthcare demands in the MENA region. The UAE and GCC region, in particular, are embracing public-private partnerships to improve healthcare infrastructure. The GCC’s per capita spend­ing on healthcare now surpasses the global average, reflecting the region’s commitment to building world-class healthcare systems.

Dubai’s ambition to become a leading re­gional hub for medical tourism is evident in its doubling of health tourists in 2021, even amidst pandemic-induced travel restric­tions. This focus on medical tourism is driv­ing demand for high-quality healthcare ser­vices and innovative HealthTech solutions.

Future trends in MENA healthcare
The future of healthcare in the MENA region is being shaped by several key trends: a shift towards holistic and pre­ventative wellness, the need for resilience and agility, the deployment of cutting-edge technologies, strengthening public-private partnerships, and managing the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital health solutions are particularly transformative, creating new opportunities for companies offering ad­vanced technologies in this space.

Fostering global partnerships and collaboration
Beyond showcasing technology and inno­vation, the ABHI UK Pavilion emphasises the importance of global partnerships and collaboration. Both the Global Health Exhibition and Arab Health provide plat­forms for UK companies to forge strate­gic alliances with local and international partners, fostering a spirit of cooperation that transcends borders. These events also serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, with numerous seminars, workshops, and discussions that allow participants to share insights and best practices.

The ABHI’s commitment to these events highlights the UK’s proactive approach in engaging with the MENA region, ensuring that UK HealthTech companies are at the forefront of global healthcare advancements. As healthcare systems worldwide continue to evolve, such international collaborations will be crucial in addressing the common chal­lenges faced by health sectors globally and improving patient outcomes on a larger scale.

Conclusion
The upcoming healthcare trade shows in the Middle East present significant opportunities for UK HealthTech companies to expand their reach and tap into a booming market. The ABHI UK Pavilion at these events will showcase the best of UK innovation, offering a platform for companies to engage with key decision-makers, build international partner­ships, and explore new business opportunities.

As the MENA region continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure and embrace digital health solutions, UK companies are well-positioned to contribute to the region’s healthcare transformation. The ABHI’s in­volvement in these events underscores the importance of UK and MENA partnerships in driving innovation and improving pa­tient care worldwide.