Business & Money | Monday 1 February, 2016 7:38 am |

Enterprise Ireland Middle East, the regional arm of the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, marks its fifth year at Arab Health with a significant increase in the number of healthcare companies under its umbrella.

Ireland is renowned as a global hub for healthcare excellence and in 2011 healthcare companies made up 10 percent of Enterprise Ireland's total exporters in the Middle East & North Africa region - a figure that is expected to reach 30 percent by the end of 2016.

Among the sectors represented by Irish companies at Arab Health are infection control, precision engineering, patient welfare management, telehealth, healthcare training and recruitment, diagnostics, skin care, wound care and medical consumables and many, including Novaerus (airborne infection control), Aerogen (Nebulisers) and AmRay (radiation protection), already have an established regional presence.

Ireland's MedTech sector has grown particularly well in international markets over the last 20 years. Ireland hosts more than 350 medical technology companies, including 13 of the top 15 global MedTech companies, employing 25,000 people and exporting almost €8 billion. Ireland is now the second largest exporter of high tech medical products in the EU and is internationally recognised as a location of choice for development and manufacture of high tech products.

Clare Roche, Market Advisor, at Enterprise Ireland MENA commented: "Ireland is one of Europe's largest MedTech hotspots and a globally recognised centre of excellence. This is Ireland's fourth year hosting a national pavilion at Arab Health and interest among Irish companies has grown exponentially year on year. The UAE and wider Gulf Region offers a dynamic market where there is a strong match between the innovative products and services offered by Irish companies and the areas of demand in the region'’.

Among the 20 Irish healthcare companies at Arab Health is Fleming Medical, a supplier of medical devices, which has signed its first direct distribution agreement in the Middle East with the UAE's City Pharmacy Co. The deal represents a value ofUS$1,000,000 over the next three years and forms part of the company's strategy to focus on its Medicare brand worldwide.

Mark Fleming, Managing Director, Fleming Medical said: ''we are very pleased that the City Pharmacy Group has chosen Fleming Medical as their exclusive OTC partners and this takes our presence in the region to the next level, through their extensive network of established pharmacy trade business partners.'’

Ireland's Ambassador to the UAE, HE Patrick Hennessy commented "The high number of Irish companies exhibiting at this year's Arab Health, coupled with their success in the region so far, is proof that Ireland is a leader in the medtech field. The agreement with Fleming Medical and City Pharmacy an excellent example of a strong partnership between an innovative Irish company and a highly successful local UAE company. I wish them every success'

In addition, Nutritics, the Irish provider of nutrition analysis software, has released a localised Middle East version of its software programme. The release will enable clinicians and nutrition professionals to analyse local foods and prescribe patients and clients with customised dietary analysis and meal planning reports in Arabic. Nutritics is the first and only global provider of nutrition analysis software to offer a bespoke solution tailored specifically for clients in the Middle East.

Ireland and the UAE have enjoyed long-standing ties in the health care sector and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has had a Dubai campus since 2005, helping to train healthcare professionals in the UAE. Opportunities remain very strong and the new model of 'connected-health' is a hugely interesting sub-sector thanks to Ireland's strengths in ICT and mobile technology, which combine well with expertise in traditional healthcare and medical technology.