The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi confirmed that medical imports, whether raw materials, equipment, or spare parts, currently enjoy complete exemption from customs duties in order to stimulate the industrial sector to expand in the manufacture of medicines and medical supplies, especially since last year imports amounted to 15 billion dirhams, while production does not cover Domestic only 5% of consumption.
The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi confirmed that medical imports, whether raw materials, equipment, or spare parts, currently enjoy complete exemption from customs duties in order to stimulate the industrial sector to expand in the manufacture of medicines and medical supplies, especially since last year imports amounted to 15 billion dirhams, while production does not cover Domestic only 5% of consumption.
This came in a seminar organized by the department yesterday, with the participation of the Department of Health and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, and discussed investment in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
Mohamed Al-Shurafa, head of the department, confirmed that 23 industrial investment fields have been identified, to be focused on in the field of pharmaceutical and health industries, to contribute to achieving self-sufficiency in the health sector in Abu Dhabi.
Rakhm, Rashid Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, stated that the total number of licenses issued to medical factories in the emirate amounted to 23 licenses with an investment value of 1.99 billion dirhams, 10 of which are currently under construction with a value of 923 million dirhams, and 13 production licenses worth 1.06 billion dirhams divided into 5 factories that produce Medical protection supplies great opportunities Dr. Tariq bin Hindi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, emphasized that the health sector in Abu Dhabi in particular includes great commercial opportunities for investors, and the mission of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office is to provide all support and assistance to these companies. Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Acting Undersecretary of the Health Department, indicated that the department is working alongside the holding company that recently launched the Rafid Foundation, as a new institution for group procurement, which aims to manage and develop the purchase of health care-related products and services.
He pointed out that the health sector in Abu Dhabi has witnessed a great expansion, as there are currently 66 hospitals, 1,835 medical centers and clinics, and 880 external pharmacies to serve the community, in addition to 77 warehouses for medicines and medical supplies in Abu Dhabi, which enables the department to absorb the increasing demand for health services, especially during a crisis.
Covid-19. He stated that the department is looking to expand and increase investment opportunities in the field of the pharmaceutical industry to meet the needs of the health sector and identify gaps and future opportunities in the sector, and said that there is a wonderful opportunity to attract investments and add production lines in areas worth 268 million dirhams, and 4 factories for the production of medicines with an investment value of 467 million dirhams, and 4 Factories for the production of medical devices and equipment worth 334 million. New for the local market, such as manufacturing biological medicines and vaccines, especially at the present time to meet the need at the local and global level and achieve self-sufficiency, and we also seek to increase investment opportunities in the medical supplies industry to keep pace with the growth of demand and global changes in the supply chains of medical prevention supplies and other medical products . Muhammad Al Qamzi, Executive Director of Support Services at the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), stressed the importance of the company being part of the "Basic Industries Project", pointing to the inclusion of basic medical products in the list of golden industrial products, and setting up a comprehensive action plan to enhance medical industrial production. Nabil Al-Awlaki, Director of the Environment, Health and Safety Department at the Industrial Development Bureau in Abu Dhabi, revealed that the Abu Dhabi government has approved incentives and support enablers for vital and medical industries, including full customs exemptions for raw materials, equipment and spare parts, industrial licenses exempt from duties and a reduced electrical tariff. Dr. Sahar Fahmy, Director of the Medicines and Medical Products Department at the Health Department, stressed the need to support the national pharmaceutical industry, noting that local production covers 5% of consumption, and there is no solution except by expanding the pharmaceutical industry and supporting national medicines for a greater presence in the local market and regional markets and expansion. In the unified procurement policies that proved their effectiveness during the "Covid 19" pandemic.