GOIC Calls for Development of Medical Equipment for People with Special Needs in the Gulf

Doha, May 03 (QNA) - The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) revealed that the manufacture and trade of medical tools and equipment for people with special needs in the GCC is a key area that requires attention and development. In fact, people with a variety of special needs (visually impaired, hearing impaired and speech impaired etc.) need specialized medical tools and equipment to assist them. A GOIC's report released today said most of GCC's needs in this field are fulfilled through imports, because of the absence of serious local factories. Indeed, imports in this sector in 2014 were valued at approximately 380 million USD, with KSA getting about 68.6% of the imports share, followed by the UAE (15.4%) and the rest of GCC countries. On the other hand, exports and re-exports accounted for only 2.2% of the total value of imports. These tools and equipment have promising prospects in the GCC, driven by the constantly increasing demand and the current limited number of local manufacturers that are mainly restricted to the area of dentures and crutches. In fact, there are a number of industrial licenses that include the manufacture of dentures and other medical supplies. GCC medical devices and tools imports for people with special needs amounted to 2621.5 tonnes and were valued at 378.5 million USD in 2014; exports and re-exports amounted to 386.1 tonnes worth approximately 8.5 million USD. ( According to the report, Qatars imports amounted to 97.9 tonnes (11.4 million USD); exports and re-exports amounted to 0.1 tonnes (0.02 million USD); net imports amounted to 97.8 tonnes (11.4 million USD). The manufacture of specialized medical devices and tools is quasi non-existent in the GCC: most of this industry relies on heavy imports. In light of the increasing demand driven by the demographic increase, remarkable growth of average per capita income, the surge in the number of people with special needs, the rise in the number of traffic accidents causing impairments and other factors, decision-makers and investors need to encourage local industries in this promising sector. Currently, this industry has a prospect for development and expansion in line with industrial development strategy goals in this region. It contributes to economic diversification and the promotion of knowledge-based industries. It also helps reinforcing pharmaceutical and health security and bringing together efforts to achieve these objectives. Indeed, efforts need to be deployed to establish and develop these industries locally in order to fulfil the increasing demand and gradually replace imports. Furthermore, investors, research and development centers and specialized medical equipment manufacturers need to work hand in hand, for these industries require advanced knowledge and technology, in addition to the technical expertise of biomedical engineering cadres. Likewise, the establishments of local manufacturers require concerted efforts in the GCC with the contribution of the private sector. Complementary industries need to be established to benefit from existing industries outputs, and GOIC is capable of preparing promising investment opportunities and providing technical support and assistance to factories operating in this field. GOIC is a regional organization that brings together the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Yemen. It is based in Doha, Capital City of Qatar. It is an advisory knowledge-based institution aiming at developing regional industries by providing data, information, specialized researches, consultations and technical services for the public and private sectors in GCC countries. (QNA)