JEDDAH, 27 May 2007 — Deals running into several million riyals were reported by national and international exhibitors who took part in the Saudi health care exhibition and hospital show, which ended in Jeddah over the weekend.
Medical professionals and industry leaders were seen studying various offers available at the show. Exhibitors were busy giving an overview of their products and demonstrations to the more than 6,000 visitors who registered during the four-day show.
The visitors ranged from business and health professionals, surgeons, specialists, doctors, paramedics and nurses to importers, agents, distributors, hospital owners and administrators.
Most of the overseas exhibitors said they had succeeded in finding new business partners. Some said they had clinched deals or in the process of reaching multimillion riyal agreements.
Polish participants said they had a successful participation. “Local importers and businessmen showed tremendous interest in our products and services,” said a representative of the Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry who had led a delegation. Among them LEK-AM Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., Mercator Medical S.A. and Paramedica Polska LLC reported “fruitful” business results.
Pakistani exhibitors said they hoped to expand their export of surgical and lab instruments and pharmaceutical products to this part of the world.
This year’s edition had the support of national groups from Egypt, Pakistan, Poland and Turkey and individual participation from China, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Taiwan and the United States.
Local exhibitors included Saudi Cancer Society, Al-Eman Cancer Society, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, Saudi Society for Food and Nutrition Sciences, Abdul Latif Jameel Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care, and Al-Dawaa Medical Services.
In addition, a number of hospitals showcased their facilities, which included Saudi German Hospitals Group and Bugshan Hospital. King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, which had a prominent stand, organized a symposium on child and women’s health for two days during the show, which was largely attended.
According to exhibitors and visitors, the exhibition provided an excellent forum for both business and medical education. The show also underlined Jeddah’s position as the Kingdom’s hub for business including medical care.
“The exhibition was worth a visit because of the range of products and services that was available under one roof,” Khaled Alghamdi, a medical supervisor at the Ministry of Health Hospital, said.
Organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd., with the support of the Ministry of Health, “this comprehensive exhibition provided a unique opportunity for evaluating the requirement of equipment and services in the health care industry,” Zahoor Siddique, the company’s exhibitions director, said.