Adnec aims to get hold of medical conferences pulse

The events will show off investment in Abu Dhabi’s health care, the bureau says.

The Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and the Emirates Medical Association (EMA) are to promote the capital as a medical conferences hub.

The bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), signed the deal yesterday with the EMA and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec). As part of the deal, Adnec expects to raise the share of medical conferences at its venues.

“This agreement is conducive to Abu Dhabi’s role as a primary destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions throughout the region,” said Saif Saeed Ghobash, the director general of TCA Abu Dhabi.

The EMA, a non-profit organisation based in Dubai, organises medical conferences, international congresses and education courses.

“In partnering with Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau and [EMA], Adnec seeks to increase the number of scientific and medical conferences to grow the direct and indirect impact from business tourism on the economy of Abu Dhabi,” said Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Adnec’s acting group chief executive. “The benefits to Abu Dhabi extend beyond economic impact as there will be an increased exposure to global thought leaders, thereby helping the emirate emerge as a knowledge hub in healthcare sector.”

An increasing number of medical conferences and meetings would mean more opportunities for Abu Dhabi to showcase its investment in health care.

Mubadala, an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi Government, has invested in state-of-the-art facilities such as Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, primary care and multi-speciality hospital Healthpoint and National Reference Laboratory.

The initiative with EMA will also ensure an exchange of knowledge.

“When high-profile international health-related congresses are hosted here, local practitioners get unprecedented access to the top professionals and latest developments in their field,” said Dr Mouza Al Sharhan, the EMA’s president.

Earlier this year, Adnec signed a deal with Dubai-based Index Conferences and Exhibitions to bring events such as the Children and Parents World Exhibition, Lifestyle Exhibition, Media Communication and Content World Conference and Atech World Conference and Exhibition to the city.

Last year, Adnec and Al Ain Convention Centre hosted 369 events, an increase of 13 per cent on the previous year. The events brought in 1.8 million visitors to the venues.

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