Israeli exports of medical equipment rose by 7.2% in 2004 to $1.09 billion. 24 Israeli companies export medical equipment to Arab countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf emirates, and the US Army in Iraq.
The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute predicts that medical equipment exports will rise by another 5-7% this year.
Exports of surgical equipment and medical devices rose by 6% in 2004 to $989 million, and exports of medical and orthopedic equipment rose by 63% to $75 million. However, exports of disposable medical equipment fell by 31% to $20 million.
Export Institute director Yechiel Assia said medical equipment exports to Europe rose by 10% to $318 million, and exports to North America rose by 17% to $471 million.
400 companies currently export medical equipment to the US, 212 to Germany, 150 to France, 100 to Australia, 135 to Italy, 70 to Hong Kong, and 185 to the UK. This year, the Export Institute plans to send three delegations of medical equipment companies to the UK, France, and Turkey, and to participate in national pavilions in two exhibitions in Germany.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 20, 2005