Informa, the organizers of the leading regional pharmaceutical event CPhI Middle East & Africa, has announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the show will no longer take place in Abu Dhabi in September, instead it will now debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in March 2021. Sherma Ellis, Brand Manager, CPhI Middle East & Africa, said: "Maintaining the health and safety of all employees, partners, exhibitors and of course our visitors, as well as preparing and delivering an organised gathering that provides effective participation and a positive experience for all, was becoming extremely difficult under the current circumstances. "For the past two years CPhI Middle East & Africa has been successful in Abu Dhabi and we would like to thank the UAE government, the Ministry of Health & Prevention, and our partners for their contribution and support. "However, having consulted with all stakeholders, regarding the venue for the 2021 edition of CPhI Middle East & Africa, the show will take place at the RICEC, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 24-25, 2021. "As the second-largest pharma market in the region and the 18th largest economy in the world, there is a myriad of business opportunities for our partners and exhibitors to unlock in Saudi Arabia and we look forward to the opportunities this burgeoning market offers." A range of healthcare reforms have taken place in Saudi Arabia in recent years to support and incentivise pharma manufacturers. These include 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) into the sector, efforts to increase the total local pharmaceutical production by 20% by the end of 2020, the launch of e-visas to make the country more accessible, as well as opportunities for business expansion, due to the country's reliance on imported pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors including increased medical insurance coverage, a growing population, higher living standards, and the incidence of non-communicable diseases are all driving additional demand for pharmaceuticals within the Kingdom. The Saudi Arabian edition of CPhI Middle East & Africa, will be held at a time when the MENA pharmaceutical market is growing exponentially. According to Fitch Solutions' Q1 2020 MENA Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Report, MENA pharmaceutical sales are expected to increase by over 24% from US$35.5 billion in 2019 to $44.1 billion by 2023 — primarily a result of the region's chronic diseases, particularly cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. CPhI Middle East & Africa is pharma's regional exhibition for innovation, networking, and business. Together, with its co-located events ICSE, FDF, P-MEC, and InnoPack, and being the only pharma event in the region that covers pharma manufacturing, it brings together nearly 4,000 key pharma suppliers and buyers, connecting local, regional and international professionals from across the entire pharma supply chain, from ingredients to finished product distribution. — SG
