Roberta Fedele Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — A 13-member healthcare delegation representing 10 companies from the United Kingdom concluded a four-day mission to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The delegation held meetings, developed contacts and showcased their innovative medical equipment and pharmaceutical products to the Saudi market. Organized by the British Embassy in Riyadh and the British Consulate General in Jeddah in cooperation with the Association of the British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the visit was part of a UK strategy to address one by one the five sectors identified as key priorities by the Kingdom: healthcare, education, vocational training, mass transport, water and environment. During a networking reception organized for the delegation on Tuesday at the British Consulate General in Jeddah, Consul General Mohammed Shokat said: “Since last year we have been bringing sector-specific missions to Saudi Arabia to make business cooperation more effective. “Saudi Arabia has recognized the need to expand the entire healthcare sector, including primary, secondary and tertiary care not just by constructing hospitals but also by developing the appropriate know-how. “The Saudi Ministry of Health has put together a huge budget to build over a hundred new hospitals and clinics, train doctors and nurses, bring innovative medical equipment and recycle the old ones. “We decided to focus on healthcare in light of these huge investments and the United Kingdom's significant level of expertise and knowledge in the medical sector.” Headed by Business Director of Bolton Surgical Steven Spurgin, the delegation visited Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital and the Specialized Healthcare Company Salehiya Est. in Riyadh, where delegates had a chance to introduce their products, exchange views with heads of department and learn more about the private healthcare sector in the Kingdom. Other significant meetings took place in Jeddah at the Saudi German Hospital, Jamjoom Medical Industries and Cigalah Group. The meetings with businessmen from various hospital groups and distribution companies were followed in Riyadh and Jeddah by receptions hosted by British diplomatic representatives. These gatherings were attended by Saudi companies and decision makers and represented an excellent opportunity for the British delegates to develop contacts and market their products. The products displayed include innovative solutions for incontinence and pain relief, handheld Android tablets designed for medical professionals, Microsoft and Android mobile phones for monitoring long-term medical conditions, washer disinfectors, incontinence waste macerators, laboratory centrifuges, advanced nurse call systems, medical bed head trunking systems for hospitals and fine quality surgical instruments. Spurgin said: “British companies have always been welcomed in the Kingdom. “We perceived a genuine interest from Saudi businessmen and we feel that doors are open now for our delegates to come back to cement these relationships and build demand for their products.” Shokat shared Spurgin's optimism, adding: “Saudi Arabia is a very competitive market. “There are a lot of delegations and trade missions visiting the country and British businessmen realized the importance of being patient and try to build constructive long-term relationships also in light of the great potential that the UK has to offer. “Later this month, other UK sector-specific delegations in the field of education and vocational training will visit the Kingdom.” The 10 British companies that were represented by the healthcare delegation include Albert Medical Devices, Benmore Medical (UK) Ltd, DDC Dolphin Ltd, Grand Instruments, Mitac Europe Ltd, MSE (UK) Ltd, Safe Patient Systems Ltd, Static Systems Group PLC, Tenscare Ltd, Midland Lead Manufacturers Ltd and Bolton Surgical.
