DCCA partners with MOHAP to develop health sector

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA), a government regulatory body mandated to foster the economic development of Dubai’s creative clusters and related knowledge industries, signed a partnership agreement with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) to support the country’s efforts in developing the healthcare sector and providing an enabling environment for advancing the pharmaceuticals industry.
The new partnership aligns with efforts by DCCA and the Ministry of Health and Prevention to boost the pharmaceuticals industry. It will also strengthen mutual cooperation in terms of developing licensing procedures and registering plants located in areas under DCCA’s jurisdiction to allow them to operate more efficiently.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and License Sector in the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and His Excellency Ahmad bin Bayat, Director General of DCCA. It aims to develop mechanisms of collaboration and coordination towards advancing the pharmaceuticals industry and products as well as medical equipment in Dubai and the UAE.
In addition, the agreement stipulates both parties to execute UAE legislations pertaining to registering plants of pharmaceutical products and medical equipment, as well as to cooperate on overcoming challenges facing plants and investors.
His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and License Sector in the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said, “we are confident that this partnership will become a catalyst for unprecedented future growth levels in the pharmaceuticals industry. It will also help develop infrastructure and nurture skills and technological capabilities in this sector.”
Dr Al Amiri pointed out that the UAE has become an attractive destination for global pharmaceuticals and medical equipment companies, with the number of plants amounting to 16, in addition to 18 more plants still waiting for initial approvals, raising the total number of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment plants to 34 by 2020. Over 1,000 new and existing pharmaceutical products are made in the UAE.
DCCA will work on enhancing the pharmaceuticals industry – a vital sector with a market size exceeding AED11 billion in the UAE – through providing a stimulating environment for industry professionals and helping them grow their businesses. The Authority will offer pharmaceutical companies operating in Dubai Science Park (DSP) a flexible regulatory framework that ensures ease of business and meets their demands through an integrated ecosystem that supports scientific research and innovation. Thanks to the support provided to businesses and entrepreneurs, DSP has become a headquarters for over 300 companies working in biosciences, energy and environment, including some of the top global names in the industry.
Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Executive Director of Dubai Science Park, said: “This agreement is a positive step towards developing the business environment for the pharmaceuticals industry and products in Dubai and the UAE. The initiative supports DSP’s strategy for attracting pioneering companies in the sector. DSP also aims to serve specialized companies, including startups, SMEs and large multinational corporations as part of its bid to become the preferred choice for businesses operating in the science sector.”
The partnership will provide further support to an already distinct legislative environment in the emirate and the country. Dubai government’s keen interest in establishing solid foundations for the healthcare sector is clearly demonstrated through its many initiatives, including the Dubai Health Strategy 2021. The sector is also one of the Dubai Industrial Strategy’s pillars since the strategy focuses in its first phase on manufacturing medical cosmetic products and developing R&D capabilities in the pharmaceuticals industry. Dubai is also aiming to attract 500,000
medical tourists in the next five years.