São Paulo – Four Egyptian companies should be among the more than one thousand companies in the medical and hospital sector that are exhibiting at the Hospitalar, considered the second largest in the area in the world, which began yesterday (2nd) and ends on Friday at the Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo. Egyptian businessmen are optimistic with regard to what the Brazilian market offers and bet on the Hospitalar to guarantee their space in the country and also in the remaining countries in Latin America.
Euromed, which is participating in the fair for the fifth time, developed a specific product for Brazil and is presenting the novelty at Hospitalar. "We have developed and patented an intravenous catheter with a safety needle, which is simpler and 50% cheaper than those made by Brazilian competitors," said the vice president at Euromed, Wael Reda Abdou. "Apart from that, we are awaiting the registration of three other products at the Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency)," he pointed out. The company has been exporting to Brazil since last year through a distributor headquartered in São Paulo. Euromed products are sold to 32 countries, in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Who is at the fair for the fifth time is Pharmaplast, a maker of infant and adult dressings, from the simplest sold at chemists to those used in surgeries. "Business is like marriage. It requires dedication and constant presence, so we make a point of coming to the fair," explained technical director Mamdouh Atteia. The company already works with distributors in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but he came to the fair seeking great distributors in the hospital area. "We want contacts that allow for greater negotiation," said Atteia. Pharmaplat has been in the market since 1985 and already exports to 67 countries.
Enteplin, a maker of components and laboratory products like catheters, probes and oxygen masks, chose Hospitalar to conclude negotiations in progress and is also eyeing the Latin market. "We want to finish off negotiations and to find new importers not just in Brazil, but throughout Latin America," said export manager Magdy El Dabe. The company has been in the market for 17 years and exports to 15 countries.
MillendMed, a maker of software for image diagnosing, is participating in the fair for the second time. In 2008 the company established a partnership with a distributor from São Paulo, but no deal has been closed yet. "Participation in the last edition served more for learning about the Brazilian market and business opportunities here and in the countries of Latin America. "It is a great market, but the competition is heavy, so it is necessary to invest in promotion of our product," said the CEO at the company, Mohamed Shoura. According to him, MillendMed is the largest provider of solutions in information technology for women’s health in Egypt.
Contrary to the crisis
The opening ceremony of the 16th edition of the Hospitalar was yesterday (2nd), at midday, and counted on the presence of authorities in the sector. According to the minister of Health, José Gomes Temporão, the health sector in Brazil has been following a route contrary to the international financial crisis.
"This is a moment in which healthcare professionals, managers and businessmen meet to discuss aspects in the sector, new technology for management and safety and infrastructure in health services. Therefore, the presence of over 30 countries here is important, as is the fact that the fair is 20% greater than the previous edition," said Temporão. "At a moment of crisis, what calls attention is the fact that we have health as an important component of social policy, but also one for development of employment and generation of riches," he added.
With 1,200 exhibitors in 32 countries and with over 3,000 importers, the forecast is to receive 78,000 visitors over the five days of the fair. The strong presence of exhibitors and visitors from other countries expected at the Hospitalar 2009 confirms the international perception of attractiveness of the Brazilian market – 40% of the Hospitalar exhibitors are international.
Roundtables
Starting today, buyers from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Qatar should be among the 24 importers from 15 countries to participate in the business roundtables at the Hospitalar. The meetings should generate US$ 9 million in business over the next 12 months, according to estimates by the Brazilian Association of the Industry of Medical, Dental, Hospital and Laboratory Articles and Equipment (Abimo). The largest delegation is from Saudi Arabia, made up of four companies.
Service
Hospitalar
Date: June 2nd to 5th
Site: Expo Center Norte
Address: Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333 – Vila Guilherme – São Paulo
Time: from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
*Translated by Mark Ament
