GLOBAL HEALTH 2026

　　The Saudi International Medical Devices Exhibition (GLOBAL HEALTH) is the leading professional trade platform for the medical industry in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, renowned for its high academic rigor and specialized focus. As a key member of Informa Markets, a globally recognized organizer of specialized exhibitions, each edition draws medical device and equipment distributors, procurement decision-makers, hospital administrators, and other buyers who seek new knowledge, business relationships, and trade opportunities from across the Middle East and Saudi Arabia.

◆ As the largest economy in the Arab world and the dominant power in the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia boasts the world’s second-largest proven oil reserves, with an economy and per capita income that rank among the highest globally. However, due to the underdeveloped domestic medical device industry, Saudi Arabia’s medical device market is highly price‑sensitive and heavily reliant on imports—primarily from the United States, Germany, Japan, and China. Imported products account for more than 90% of the market share.

◆ Saudi Arabia is among the fastest-growing countries in the Gulf region in terms of population. Influenced by lifestyle factors such as a high-calorie diet and insufficient physical activity, the adult obesity rate exceeds 40%, while the prevalence of diabetes is approximately 18%. Meanwhile, due to relatively high rates of consanguineous marriage in certain regions, the incidence of recessive genetic disorders like thalassemia stands at around 2%, roughly ten times the global average. These factors collectively drive a sustained surge in demand for advanced medical facilities.

◆ Saudi Arabia grants tariff exemptions (0% duty) for pharmaceuticals, medical reagents, blood products, veterinary medicines, and single-use medical consumables. For high-value medical devices such as medical equipment and artificial prosthetics, a standard tariff of 5% applies (with certain items eligible for reduced rates of 2–4% under the China–Saudi Free Trade Agreement). In addition, eligible pharmaceuticals and medical devices benefit from a zero VAT rate, further lowering import costs and creating favorable conditions for international healthcare companies seeking to enter the Saudi market.

◆ As one of the largest economies in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s medical device market has experienced explosive growth in recent years. Driven by a growing population and rising health‑care awareness, demand for medical devices continues to surge. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative designates health care as a key national priority, with the government planning to invest over USD 65 billion in developing its healthcare infrastructure—creating substantial market potential and opportunities for medical device manufacturers. Saudi Arabia accounts for 59% of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s total healthcare spending of USD 100 billion. With the gradual implementation of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2030 development plan, rapid population growth, and a booming tourism sector, the country’s demand for advanced medical facilities is steadily skyrocketing.

◆ As the largest medical device and pharmaceutical market in the Middle East—accounting for 60% of total GCC healthcare spending—Saudi Arabia presents substantial opportunities for the biopharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Driven by a significant population increase (projected to reach approximately 37 million by 2025 and nearly 40 million by 2030), rising per capita income, and growing health‑care awareness, demand for medical devices and pharmaceuticals continues to surge.

◆ China has become Saudi Arabia’s second-largest source of medical device imports, with its exports to Saudi Arabia rising 26.24% year-on-year in 2024—far outpacing the industry average. The market is shifting from traditional consumables (such as syringes and dressings, subject to a 0% tariff) to high-end equipment (including ultrasound machines, patient monitors, and endoscopes, taxed at 5%), and products from companies like Mindray and United Imaging have gained entry into Saudi Arabia’s top-tier hospitals. Bilateral trade between China and Saudi Arabia has exceeded US$100 billion for several years running, with medical cooperation emerging as the fastest-growing segment outside the oil sector. The Saudi pharmaceutical market is projected to reach US$15.9 billion by 2027, and Chinese firms are expected to capture more than 30% of the market share.

1,000+ exhibitors

150,000 square meters of exhibition space

Over 160,000 visits 
104 Chinese exhibitors

500+ international speakers

Over 20 national pavilions

◆ Medical Devices and Instrumentation: Medical electronic instruments, medical ultrasound equipment, medical X-ray devices, medical optical instruments, clinical laboratory analysis instruments, dental equipment and materials, operating room, emergency room, and diagnostic‑treatment room equipment and supplies, single‑use medical consumables, medical dressings and sanitary materials, various surgical instruments, medical health‑care devices and products, traditional Chinese medicine–specific medical instruments and rehabilitation aids, hemodialysis equipment, anesthesia and respiratory equipment, and more.

◆ Household health products and small health devices: Home health care products, small household diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic devices, rehabilitation and physiotherapy equipment and supplies, electronic medical instruments, dental instruments, hospital office supplies, sports medicine products, and more.

◆ Medical Aesthetics and Skin Rejuvenation: Plastic surgery equipment and supplies, skin care technologies and products, laser therapy and repair technologies and devices, and more.

◆ Medical laboratory products: Testing and analytical instruments, diagnostic equipment, reagents and consumables, laboratory equipment and instruments, single-use medical supplies, medical dressings and sanitary materials, biological products, and more.

◆ Pharmaceuticals and Health Supplements: Pharmaceuticals, functional and all-natural products, health supplements, and more.

◆ Digital Health: AI-powered medical diagnosis, remote patient monitoring, intelligent hospital management systems, and more.

1. Complete the exhibition application form, ensuring that all information is accurate and error-free. 
2. Confirm booth information, sign the exhibition contract, and pay the relevant fees as stipulated in the contract. 
3. Handle matters related to booth registration, banner production, the official exhibition catalog, rental of exhibition equipment and booth construction, as well as exhibit transportation. 
4. Prepare exhibition materials such as brochures, posters, and business cards. 
5. Confirm the list of exhibitors and coordinate their exhibition schedules. 
6. If a visa is required, promptly arrange the necessary visa procedures for all exhibition participants. 
7. During the implementation phase, systematically advance all exhibition-related tasks to ensure the project is successfully launched and executed. 
8. Upon completion of the project, arrange for the issuance of invoices.