The International Trade Administration is organizing a healthcare equipment, services and technologies business development mission to three Middle Eastern cities, with the aim of introducing U.S. devicemakers and trade groups to the region and promoting products and services.

The entourage will visit Cairo, Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan, with an optional stop in the West Bank city of Ramallah from May 16 through 21, 2015, according to a Tuesday Federal Register notice.

During the trip, members of the U.S. delegation will participate in customized meetings with prospective partners and receive market briefings. Targeted sectors include:

• Maternal and child health products and services;
• Medical equipment and supplies, including diagnostic, monitoring and imaging equipment;
• Hospital and outpatient clinic design and management;
• E-health, including healthcare management systems, software and network design;
• Laboratory and scientific equipment;
• Products for specialties such as oncology, cardiology, wound care and plastic surgery;
• Products and services for implementing quality standards and accreditation;
• Robotics; and
• Mobile clinics.  

According to the ITA, 2013 healthcare spending in Egypt, Jordan and Israel was $9.5 billion, $1 billion and $20 billion, respectively. Those numbers are expected to grow five to eight percent this year, the ITA says.

Participation is limited to 12 to 15 companies. Selection will be based on the relevance of a company’s business to the mission goals, suitability of its products or services for the respective markets and the potential for business in those markets.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through March 13, 2015. The cost is $3,325 for small businesses and $4,625 for large ones. — Kellen Owings

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