DCED Helping PA Companies Do Business in Growing United Arab Emirates Market for Health Care Products, Services

DCED Helping PA Companies Do Business in Growing United Arab Emirates Market
for Health Care Products, Services

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Community
and Economic Development is coordinating a delegation of Pennsylvania
companies to attend Arab Health 2010 in January, the largest trade exhibition
devoted to health care in the Middle East, Secretary George Cornelius said
today.

No DCED staff will attend, Cornelius noted. All overseas assistance and
coordination for participants will be handled by the state's authorized trade
representative for the region.

"The United Arab Emirates is a key gateway into Middle East and South Asian
markets," Cornelius said. "This trade show gives Pennsylvania healthcare
executives the chance to explore multiple markets with assistance from
Pennsylvania's authorized trade representative based in Dubai."

This will be the third year that DCED has organized participation in the
conference, which provides access to some of the most important and
influential decision makers in the Arab world for manufacturers of medical,
pharmaceutical or rehabilitation equipment/supplies, and medical-related
technology and services companies.

Four companies that participated have attributed $11.8 million in sales of
their specialty medical equipment, surgical supplies and respiratory products
directly to the conference.

Exports from Pennsylvania to the United Arab Emirates amounted to $317 million
in 2008 -- an increase of 123 percent from the prior year.

"Global economic challenges notwithstanding, spending on health care in the
region has continued to rise, and demand for the latest products and health
care innovations provide an excellent opportunity for Pennsylvania health care
companies seeking new market outlets," Cornelius said.

DCED's Office of International Business Development has contracts with
representatives in 23 countries to provide in-country assistance, market
intelligence, and help to identify overseas partners for Pennsylvania
companies.

Companies participating in the Jan. 25-28 conference in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, will have the opportunity to meet buyers from the Middle East, Asia
and Africa who are interested in all aspects of the health care industry. In
2009, Arab Heath attracted more than 50,000 decision makers and 2,500
exhibitors from 65 countries.

In addition to the exhibition space, participants can expect a schedule of
face-to-face business appointments with pre-screened and qualified business
prospects arranged by the commonwealth's Dubai-based trade representative.

"Exports from Pennsylvania firms play an increasingly important role in the
state's economy," Cornelius said. "More than 12,000 Pennsylvania exporters
shipped $34.4 billion worth of goods in 2008, an increase of nearly 18 percent
over 2007, and well above the national 11.8 percent increase among all U.S.
states."

For more information on Arab Health 2010 and opportunities for financial
assistance for qualifying PA firms interested in joining the delegation,
contact DCED's Center for Trade Development by e-mail at lgardner@state.pa.us,
or by telephone at 717-214-5306.

To learn more about DCED and Pennsylvania's broad range of economic
development services and initiatives, visit www.newpa.com.

Media contact: Steve Weitzman, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

Steve Weitzman of the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic
Development, +1-717-783-1132