KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian healthcare companies, which participated at the recently concluded Arab Health 2013 exhibition have secured sales worth RM45.9 million.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) said 11 Malaysia companies participated in the exhibition held between 28 and 31 January in Dubai, UAE.

"Held against a backdrop of rapidly growing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) healthcare market and record budget allocations for healthcare spending by the governments in the region, the show provided an excellent platform for Malaysian health products exporters to enter the GCC market, as well as, the surrounding regions," said MATRADE Trade Commissioner in Dubai Mustafa Abdul Aziz.

Among the Malaysian products that were sought after by buyers at the show included hospital beds and equipment, intravenous solutions, health and personal care products, surgical and examination gloves, tubing and catheters, syringes and other medical disposable products.

The Arab Health 2013 exhibition, the largest healthcare event in Middle East, attracted over 3,500 exhibitors from 63 countries with more than 80,000 buyers and healthcare professionals patronising the exhibition and the conferences held during the four-day show.

MATRADE said the GCC healthcare market was projected to grow at an annual rate of 11% to US$43.9 billion by 2015 with Saudi Arabia and UAE the fastest growing markets.

Last year, Malaysia's exports of medical devices to the UAE registered strong expansion by growing over one-fold or 118.1% to RM166.5 million while exports to Saudi Arabia grew 5.4% to RM83.1 million.

"MATRADE, Ministry of Health and the industry will continue to work together to ensure our continued presence at the world's leading events for medical devices and pharmaceuticals industry.

"The next forthcoming events by MATRADE to promote healthcare products will see Malaysian companies' participation in International Modern Hospital Show in Tokyo, Japan from July 17-19, 2013, Medical Fair Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 12-14, 2013, CPhI Worldwide 2013 from October 22-24, 2013 and MEDICA Dusseldorf, Germany, from November 20-23, 2013," said MATRADE.

MATRADE said interested Malaysian companies may register their participation in any of these events at www.matrade.gov.my.

source:MJN