Arab Health 2015 Expo Highlights World’s Medical Tech

Earlier this year, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hosted The Arab Health 2015 Exhibition & Congress, second-largest medical technology and service trade show in the world. The event took place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from January 26-29

Medical professionals and health industry representatives flocked from all over the world to participate in the four-day conference, which included forums and training workshops on a wide variety of medical specialties, from anesthesiology to urology. The congress also held meetings on broader issues such as public health, big data in medicine, and quality management.

The 2015 show attracted well over 4,000 exhibitors from 40 different countries, including, for the first time, visitors from Thailand, Indonesia, and Bahrain. China and Germany were especially well represented this year, with delegations from 579 and 461 companies, respectively. UAE itself sent representatives from more than 250 corporations.

The trade show allowed countless companies to showcase their most innovative medical technologies and services. While a number of ultra-high-profile industry names like GE Healthcare and Siemens attended, the expo also spotlighted many lesser-known names. One such company is GBUK Ltd, a British medical device manufacturer specializing in medical tubing and connectors. Prior to Arab Health 2015, the company had played a key role in establishing global design standards for such technologies. By attending the January conference, GBUK aimed to boost brand awareness among health care professionals around the world, and to cement partnerships with international distributors.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress looks set to gain in prominence in the future as both public- and private-sector health interests confront increasingly complex issues. Worldwide trends such as aging populations, the rise of non-communicable diseases, and shortages of healthcare workers necessitate meetings like Arab Health 2015 to bring together the innovative medical minds and businesses that can create and distribute state-of-the-art technologies to the people who need them.

UAE Participation in the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

 For several decades, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have worked closely together in the fields of defense and national security. Since 1974, more than 200 Emiratis have graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, one of the most prestigious military schools in the UK. The institution’s graduates include some of the UAE’s most influential leaders, among them Abu Dhabi crown prince His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. In recent years, several other members of the ruling family have graduated from the academy.

In addition to welcoming Emiratis at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the UK regularly loans military officers to the Gulf nation to help it shore up its military capabilities. In the same vein, the UAE supports British defense efforts by cooperating with UK intelligence agencies, supporting UN sanctions regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and helping the UK fight money laundering.

Business Procedures in the UAE

For many years, the United Arab Emirates has received international recognition as a business-friendly nation. Through its many free zones, the UAE allows foreign companies to establish businesses and access highly attractive benefits such as zero federal income tax. Here is a brief overview of three key business procedures in the UAE.

Imports and exports: Based on the Gulf Cooperation Council’s tariff structure, the UAE employs a liberal trade policy designed to increase the overall volume of international trade. In the UAE, customs is a highly facilitated process that requires just six documents, three signatures, and 18 days to move items from a UAE port to a warehouse.

Commercial activities: Before a foreign company begins importing and selling products, it must appoint a commercial agent in the UAE. The agent must be a UAE national and register with the Ministry of Economy.

Dispute resolution: In the UAE, arbitration falls under the jurisdiction of the UAE Civil Procedure Code, Federal Law No. 11 of 1992. The UAE currently plays host to two arbitration services: the Dubai International Arbitration Centre and the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation & Arbitration Centre.

The Evolving Role of Women in the UAE

Since its founding more than 40 years ago, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has encouraged women to break into fields traditionally dominated by men. In accordance with the tenets of Islam, the UAE Constitution guarantees equal rights for women and men. In today’s economic and social landscape, women are viewed as equal partners and important contributors to sustainable development.

In the political sphere, four ministerial seats in the cabinet are held by women. In addition, women represent 17.5 percent of the partially elected representative body of the UAE. Three women currently serve as UAE ambassadors, and four have been appointed as judges in the domestic judicial system. In terms of business, the UAE recently mandated that a certain percentage of board seats be occupied by women. In addition to helping women obtain leadership roles in prominent organizations, the mandate encourages innovation and diversity in the workplace. Women have also made considerable breakthroughs in areas such as education, sports, and health care.

Health Care in the UAE

 Over the past several decades, perhaps no industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has enjoyed more significant growth than health care. As a direct result of significant investments in the health care infrastructure, life expectancy in the UAE has reached 76.5 years, which puts it on a par with some of the most developed nations on the planet. In addition to eradicating infectious diseases, such as poliomyelitis, measles, and malaria, the UAE has reduced maternal mortality rates to just 10 per 100,000.

Although life expectancy in the UAE is at an all-time high, lifestyle diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, have emerged as leading causes of death. To address these growing health concerns, world-class medical facilities, such as the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, have sprung up throughout the country. The UAE government has also emphasized disease prevention via campaigns such as the Pink Caravan Initiative, a mobile health-screening unit that reaches thousands of men and women every year.