Healthcare | Wednesday 13 January, 2016 4:29 pm |

Australian companies offering solutions to the growing health and medical needs of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will be the highlight of a trade and investment roadshow this month.  The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) will host a series of events in the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt from 24 January to 1 February to promote the bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties between Australia and the MENA region.

Now in its fourth year, the Australia Unlimited MENA 2016’s (AU MENA) theme is how economies can utilize the expertise of Australian firms to develop their health care and medical sectors. Access to quality health services is a priority across the MENA region because of its growing population, introduction of compulsory health insurance, and the rise of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes.

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Australia’s Minister for Tourism and International Education and State Minister for Trade and Investment, will take part in the roadshow along with the respective Australian Ambassadors based in the MENA region.-

Gerard Seeber, Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul General in Dubai, said AU MENA 2016 would show how Australian firms can help with the impact of rising demand on health infrastructure and medical resources. “Our aim is to make Australian firms the first choice when it comes to choosing a partner in health care and medical services,” he said.  “Australian companies are already delivering solutions in the MENA region, but they can offer more in terms of the regulation of quality and standards, research and development, clinical trials, medical training and simulation.”

Nineteen Australian healthcare education institutions will participate in the AU MENA 2016 program, and 30 Australian companies are exhibiting at this year’s Arab Health Exhibition and Conference taking place from 25-28 January in Dubai.

Australia’s relationship with GCC economies is strong and growing, with a year-on-year increase of Australian exports to the region increasing 15.8% from 2014 to 2015.  On 24 January 2016, the Australian Trade Commission, representing the Commonwealth of Australia, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the Department of Economic Development – Government of Dubai. The MOU will establish a framework to strengthen cooperation in the field of trade promotion between the two nations.

Sport will be another element of the AU MENA 2016 roadshow. Australia hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 and the UAE will do the same in 2019.  To celebrate the AFC Asian Cup coming to the Gulf region, the trophy will be making its way to the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through a series of targeted events organized during the AU MENA 2016 week.

Australia is also well known for their culinary and sport expertise with a cook-off and the handover of the AFC Asian Cup. This year’s culinary cook off competition will take place at jones the grocer for customers and selected food bloggers, using organic Australian beef.

The official platinum sponsors for the AU MENA 2016 campaign are the State Government of Victoria, Qantas Airlines, Box Hill Institute, and Advanced Hair Studio; gold sponsors include Monash University, Ego Pharmaceuticals and Al Tamimi and Company.