Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is a growing lucrative market for European medical technology manufacturers. Due to MENA region’s growing population of more than 450 million (Worldbank 2020) and limited local medical technology production, medical equipment is in high demand. For example, more than 90% of the medical technology market in Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the region, is supplied by foreign manufacturers (GTAI 2020).
In the MENA region small and medium-sized manufacturers are confronted with a business environment that makes the establishment and operation of commercial agency highly demanding from a legal, economic and social aspect. A cooperation between heterogeneous languages, specialties, and cultures does not always lead to optimal results. Yet, through our locally established, highly connected commercial partner success is quickly reached. We act as a bridge for you to overpass these differences and reach the local customer. According to our data, improvement in professional competence, service and cost is needed; this is what we plan on delivering to the local customers.
allEasy medical is a reliable German service partner for medical technology SMEs, relying on synergy effects, data-based advisory services, and transparent competent work by the local commercial agency, to successfully distribute your products. In order to sustainably and efficiently market products in the MENA region, we offer you a tailored service package specifically for your product. Take this opportunity to contact us and learn more about what we offer.
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a population of 34 million, is one of the largest healthcare markets in the region. According to the World Bank, Saudi Arabia´s healthcare expenditures per capita are above-average for the MENA region (Worldbank 2020).
Currently the local business environment for SMEs and sales is developing positively, as indicated in the Ease of Doing Business Index chart (Worldbank 2020). Also the reform package, “Vision 2030”, encourages privatization of the healthcare sector (Rahman 2020). The market is thus progressively opening up to new players.
In order to sustainably anchor your products, we are by your side:
The Emirates Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaima, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain are becoming the most important healthcare centers in the MENA region. The healthcare expenditures are above-average for the 10 million residents, allowing for high technical standards in clinics and hospitals (Worldbank 2020). Therefore, it is no wonder that American and European medical technology imports dominate the market (GTAI 2021).
Small and middle sized businesses flourish in the Emirates, the Ease of Doing Business Index score indicates excellent conditions (Worldbank 2020). However the medical technology market is highly competitive. In order to assert yourself in such a market, you need a competent experienced partner.
With a population of 2.8 million, Qatar has the second highest per-capita healthcare expenditures in the region (Worldbank 2020). Since 2010 Qatar has more than tripled its clinics and almost doubled bed capacity. Medical technology imports are an integral part of this healthcare expansion (GTAI 2019). Local SMEs, that market medical technology imports, enjoy a stable business environment. This is evident by Qatar’s above average Ease of Doing Business Index score and the flourishing export market, even during the Corona crisis (GTAI 2021, Worldbank 2020).
The wealthy kingdom of Bahrain consists of 33 islands located in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain has a population of only 1.6 million, yet its healthcare per capita investment is above average (Worldbank 2020). The kingdom imports the majority of its healthcare devices (GTAI 2021).
Local SMEs, importing medical technologies, enjoy a positive business environment, as shown by the Ease of Doing Business Index chart. Moreover, in 2020 Bahrain ranked top world-wide in “Paying Taxes” category (Worldbank 2020).
Kuwait’s healthcare per capita expenditure is above average for the MENA region (Worldbank 2020). The emirate is pressing ahead with the expansion of its hospitals. The target group is primarily the local population. The majority of the country’s 4 million residents are foreign. These residents are to be cared for primarily in three planned hospitals and 15 health centers for foreigners (GTAI 2021).
Kuwait has a stable business environment, clearly shown by the positive trending Ease of Doing Business Index chart (Worldbank 2020). However, due to the budget deficit healthcare investment is expected to decrease (GTAI 2021).
The Arab Republic of Egypt has a population of 100 million, making it the most populous country in the region. Half of its citizens are younger than 25 years old, and its investment in healthcare per capita is below average (CIA 2021, Worldbank 2020).
Egypt covers a large percentage of its medical technology needs through imports. Recently the government has banned imports of used and reclaimed medical devices, leading to a higher demand for new products (GTAI 2020). Moreover, new import requirements and the low Ease of Business Index score make it a challenging business environment (Worldbank 2020). However, the modernization of customs clearance process will bring much needed improvements (GTAI 2020).
The population of the Republic of Iraq is 39 million, of which more than half are younger than 22 years old (CIA 2021). The per capita healthcare expenditure is low, and the healthcare system has been in crisis for years (Worldbank 2020, Reuters 2020).
According to the Ease of Doing Business Index trend local SMEs face a stable yet below-average business environment (Worldbank 2020). The government is drafting anti-corruption initiatives to improve conditions (IraqToday 2020).
The Sultanate of Oman’s, public and private, per capita healthcare expenditures are above the MENA average (Worldbank 2020). Even though the population is increasing and soon will reach 5 million, government healthcare spending is decreasing due to the oil market slump. As a result, private investors are stepping in to assume a larger role in shaping the country’s healthcare infrastructure (GTAI 2021).
As part of the government new austerity policy, private companies are required to pay healthcare insurance for their employees. This will increase the demand for healthcare services, since the majority of the 1.66 million private sector foreign workers were previously uninsured (GTAI 2020). SMEs could benefit from this change. Moreover, the Ease of Doing Business Index shows a positive trend in the general business environment (Worldbank 2020).
Since 2015 the Republic of Yemen has been embroiled in civil war. The healthcare system for its 29 million residents has been largely destroyed. Healthcare expenditure statistics are no longer recorded (Worldbank 2020).
Once the conflict ends, reconstruction of medical facilities will be a central task. SMEs working in the medical field could then recover their businesses and have greater opportunities (Worldbank 2020).
The healthcare system in the Republic of Lebanon now serves more than six million residents, of which more than 1 million are refugees (CIA 2021). The healthcare per capita expenditure trend matches the regional average (Worldbank 2020).
Despite of rising healthcare expenditure, the country has a shortage of medical equipment (Fayad 2020). SMEs will benefit from the current stable business environment, according to the Ease of Doing Business Index score (Worldbank 2020).
The Kingdom of Jordan is an active and sustainable promoter of peace in the region (GTAI 2018). The country offers stable conditions to its 10 million residents, and above-average conditions to its small and medium-sized enterprises (Worldbank 2020). Healthcare spending, which tends to be below average, could increase in the future due to the political effort to establish Jordan as a regional medical tourism hub (GTAI 2018, Worldbank 2020).
The Republic of Tunisia offers its more than 11 million residents a comprehensive healthcare system that is among the best in Africa. After little progress and below-average healthcare spending, reform and investment announcements are expected (GTAI 2020, Worldbank 2020).
Moreover, positive trends are evident in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, showing that the business environment for small and medium-sized local businesses remains well above the average for the MENA region (Worldbank 2020).
The Moroccan market for medical technology is growing. The kingdom is now home to more than 36 million residents, whose healthcare per capita spending is rather low compared to the regional average (GTAI 2021, Worldbank 2020). Imports play a major role in filling existing supply gaps and carrying out necessary upgrades: more than three-quarters of demand is met by imports (GTAI 2021). Small and medium-sized enterprises that serve this demand benefit from an all-round business environment that is clearly above the regional average (Worldbank 2020).
The Republic of Algeria is now home to more than 43 million people. For the growing population the government is building new hospitals and improving equipment in existing facilities. Despite a rather low per capita healthcare spending, the Algerian medical technology market is growing by 11% (GTAI 2020, Worldbank 2020).
Around 90% of the medical technology market is covered by imported products (GTAI 2020). Small and medium-sized enterprises selling these products generally find below average but stable framework conditions (Worldbank 2020).
The state of Libya has been in civil war since 2011. The healthcare system for the approximately 6 million residents is fragile, and healthcare expenditures data are no longer recorded (Worldbank 2020).
The difficult situation in this oil-rich country is also reflected in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2020, where Libya ranks second worst in the region. The business environment for small and medium-sized trading companies is currently classified as difficult (Worldbank 2020).
As a result of the ongoing civil war that started in 2011, the Republic of Syria has experienced a noticeable decline in population to around 17 million. The state of the national healthcare system is critical, per capita spending on healthcare is no longer recorded (Worldbank 2020).
Also the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises continues to be classified as difficult. However the Ease of Doing Business Index shows that Syria is performing slightly better in comparison to other countries experiencing civil war in the region ( Worldbank 2020).
The Republic of Iran meets its 82 million residents high healthcare investment needs. Iran’s healthcare per capita expenditure is within the regional average. Medical technology is mainly imported, primarily from the EU (Worldbank 2020, GTAI 2020).
Iran also positions itself close to the regional average in the Ease of Doing Business Index (Worldbank 2020). However, trade in medical technology is often subject to international sanctions. Small and medium-sized medical technology manufacturers should seek professional consultation before approaching the Iranian market (EU 2020).
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