With a view to take advantage of the growing healthcare demands  of the Middle-East (ME) and to further boost the exports to these regions, the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) is exploring the possibilities to organise iPhex Middle-East (ME) or iPhex Dubai in future, on the sidelines of Arab Health Dubai.

To realise this objective, the council is soon planning to propose this project to the committee of administration (CoA) of the Council and to the Commerce Ministry. If things go as planned, the Council plans to have iPhex, Pharmexcil’s major strategic initiative aimed at wooing international buyers to India, alongside a very successful trade show Arab Health.

Dr P V Appaji, director general of Pharmexcil, informed that after going through a detailed study of all the practicability of this project, the Council has strategically deliberated and discussed the possibilities of the same with Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, organisors of the Arab Health. Interestingly, they too showed positive inclination and willingness to work with Pharmexcil to promote and work for business development initiative that will be mutually beneficial for both.

Dr Appaji further informed that the idea to join hands with the Arab Health for promotion of Indian made products came after seeing an overwhelming response from the overseas delegates and the exhibitors in exploring and understanding the Indian market, during the recently concluded Arab Health in Dubai.

Arab Health is focussed on medical devices, surgicals, diagnostic kits and other healthcare products. In fact, many visitors are keen to look into ayurvedic, herbal and pharma products also.

“We are constantly on a lookout for creating a sustainable platform for our stakeholders with a special focus on export market development of our products. By every means, we have the strength to meet the growing global needs. From our observation and current market dynamics, ME market especially the UAE's healthcare market is growing significantly strong, having exponential growth potential for healthcare development. It is this market that we are looking to tap through our aggressive work that is committed to ensure growth of exports from the country,” pointed out Dr Appaji.

Explaining about the huge market opportunity that can be explored through this event, Dr Appaji informed that this year alone this event had participation from over 4000 exhibitors from over 120 countries globally. Apart from that over 1,20,000 visitors from across the world visited it making it a highly lucrative platform to boost business.

“Why look outside when we have glaring example of growing interest among the Indian exporters itself to be part of this event. Seven years back when we had started taking the delegation to Arab Health we started it with hardly eight people. Today we have 50 members who participated in the Indian pavilion as delegates. We see huge opportunity for growth of Indian products in the ME market, be it for pharma, medical device, surgicals even Ayurveda that needs to be tapped,” Dr Appaji added.