MALAYSIAN HEALTHCARE COMPANIES RECORD US$1.47 MLN SALES AT DUBAI EXHIBITION

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 (Bernama)-- Malaysian companies which participated in the recent Arab Health 2011 healthcare exhibition, recorded sales of US$1.47 million with further potential sales of US$212.17 million still being negotiated.

Twenty-nine Malaysian companies participated in the Middle Easts' largest healthcare show held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Of this number, 14 came under the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (MATRADE).

"At an estimated US$74 billion, the market for healthcare products and services in the Arab region is comparable to that of any developed part of the world," said MATRADE'S senior trade commissioner, Dzulkifli Mahmud in a statement Thursday.

He also said that the region's healthcare sector has not yet shown any sign of being affected by the global economic slowdown.

"By 2025, the Middle East is expected to spend over US$60 billion, on new healthcare facilities.

"Both the short and long-term outlooks represent a very significant business opportunity for Malaysian companies specialising in healthcare products, as well as Malaysian service providers focused on the construction and management of healthcare facilities," he added.