Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology convenes UAE’s pharma industry to explore future healthcare resilience

- Fourth ‘Future of Industry Dialogue’ hosted by His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber discussed measures needed to boost public-private partnerships in pharma and medical sectors to enhance national resilience
- His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, attends session
- His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber: Adoption of advanced technology critical for future readiness of UAE’s healthcare sector
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 7 March, 2021 –
The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) today convened a number of the country’s pharmaceutical and medical industry companies in the fourth session of its ‘Future of Industry Dialogue’ series to discuss ways in which the Ministry can drive the strong growth of the sector in a post-COVID-19 economy.
Led by His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, the virtual meeting drew the participation of His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Jürgen Lauterbach, CFO of Julphar, Basem Al-Barahmeh, General Manager of Globalpharma, Emad Nazih Baloosh, General Manager of Medpharma, Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman of LIFEPharma, Madhukar Tanna, CEO of Pharmax, Dr Salwa Sami, General Manager of Medysinal, Dr Zuhdi Sawalhi, CEO of Medisal, Helda Alosta, General Manager of Monrol, Dr Firas Razouk, General Manager of Fine Healthcare, Mohammed Hamad Al Badi, CEO of Tawam Medical Instruments Factory, Vivekananda Shenoy, General Manager of MicroSynergy Pharmaceuticals, Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare, and Farhan Malik, General Manager of Pure Health.
His Excellency Dr Al Jaber commended the collective efforts of the public and private sectors in responding to the pandemic, from manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) to the distribution and testing of vaccines.
Looking ahead, His Excellency Dr Al Jaber said: “Ensuring the future growth and resilience of the UAE’s healthcare sector in a post-pandemic world will depend on planning ahead, reinforcing critical supply chains and establishing a wider network of global partners.”
He added: “There is one crucial enabler that we must weave into the DNA of our healthcare industry: the adoption of advanced technologies. We can and must enhance local production of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and Industry 4.0 solutions.
Not only will this diversify our economy and increase our local efficiencies, but it will improve our preparedness to scale production when it’s most needed, and this is vital to the industry’s future resilience.”
His Excellency underlined the role that MoIAT will play in working with all relevant stakeholders to develop the industrial ecosystem and accelerate the sector’s growth in the UAE. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the industrial sector to enhance in-country value, and boost its competitiveness locally, regionally and globally through creating a relevant and strong regulatory environment.
The high-level ‘Future of Industry Dialogue’ initiative, a series of ongoing high-level virtual meetings, was launched in February 2021 by MoIAT to establish a new collaborative framework to build long-term synergies between government and industry in the UAE. Reflecting the UAE’s commitment to developing the national industrial ecosystem, the initiative focuses on identifying and mitigating sector-specific challenges and implementing innovative regulatory, logistical and financing frameworks to drive sustainable industrial development to pave the way for the country to achieve its aspirations in a post-COVID-19 world.
:the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, established in July 2020, is mandated with strengthening the UAE’s industrial sector, specifically by drawing on the advanced technology and tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Ministry has three overarching goals: Strengthening the UAE’s industrial base, ensuring in country value, and raising the competitiveness of local industries.
By enhancing the contribution of advanced technology, the Ministry will support the country’s sustainable economic growth, and ensure GDP contribution from the industry sector.
The Ministry will draft policies, laws and programmes to create a world-class industrial development framework for the nation that will help attract foreign direct investment, boost In-Country Value creation, support national entrepreneurship, drive job creation, and boost exports of ‘Made in UAE’ products.
From encouraging the establishment of industrial complexes to raising local capacity in advanced technology, the Ministry will accelerate industrial development in a bid to drive economic growth, diversification, value retention and national self-reliance.