JEDDAH – A three-day 3rd Saudi Health Exhibition and Conferences, under the support and patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Health, and jointly organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) and Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, will be held on May 18-21, 2015 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition and conference will offer a platform for regional and international healthcare representatives, dealers, suppliers, and service providers to discuss growth initiatives aimed at boosting Saudi Arabia's health industry. The Saudi Health exhibition will feature more than 8000sqm of space, and is expected to host more than 13000 delegates and visitors. The 2015 exhibition will include 11 country pavilions, 350 exhibitors, and 18 exhibiting countries. Kamil Al Jawhari, Exhibition Manager at REC, said: "We are looking forward to this year's edition of Saudi Health Exhibition and Conference, which is expected to drive in more growth for the Kingdom's healthcare sector. For the first time since 2011, a fiscal deficit is projected based on revenues of SR715 billion and expenditures of SR860 billion. The education and healthcare sectors accounted for 43.8 percent of the total government spending in 2014, demonstrating that they remain among the Kingdom's main focus. We constantly seek to contribute to the government's programs to enhance the healthcare sector by organizing exhibitions that are relevant to the industry's advancement." The high-level event comes amid the Ministry of Health 's substantial budget allocations over the past years for the sector's improvement and development. The Ministry earmarked an estimated SR40.43 billion in 2009, almost SR61.2 billion in 2010, and about SR68.7 billion in 2011. The sector's healthcare and social development segments received the largest allocations at 48 per cent increase year-on-year up to 2015. The demand for hospital beds in Saudi Arabia is also expected to rise to 70,000 by 2016. Five medical cities and 132 hospitals are currently under construction across the Kingdom. The Saudi Arabia healthcare market is worth SR108.59 billion ($28.99 billion). According to Simon Page, Managing Director, Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions: "Saudi Arabia comprises of two-thirds of the GCC population, and is the largest spender on healthcare in the Gulf region. In line with the Saudi Ministry of Health, we continue to support and contribute to the development process in the Saudi healthcare sector, by providing organizations in the healthcare industry the opportunity to share the latest updates and advancements in the sector with their peers.. These discussions will result in positive developments seen to further boost the local healthcare industry." The 2015 Saudi Health Conferences once again offer a CME-accredited conference program that will enhance the development of the skills of the healthcare workforce within the Kingdom. — SG
