When Arab Health 2016, the world’s second largest healthcare congress and exhibition, opens January 25th at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the United States will have its largest presence ever at this annual trade event.

With more than 320 exhibitors, the size of the U.S. contingent is an indicator of how important the region is to the U.S. healthcare business, and how interested the region is in working with U.S. companies to build a world-class model for healthcare in the U.A.E.

The U.S. presence at Arab Health, featuring industry leading companies such as GE Healthcare, Becton Dickinson, Hill-Rom, and Dell, numerous hospitals, medical device and equipment suppliers, over-the-counter (OTC) innovators, and state economic development groups, is organized by Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in coordination with U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Commerce.

The centerpiece of the U.S. effort is the 38,000 square foot U.S. International Pavilion, a destination for buyers looking for an efficient way to meet a critical mass of U.S. suppliers, and an on-site business hub for U.S. exhibitors looking to maximize their exposure and impact at the event.

“When U.S. companies commit to exhibit at Arab Health, they’re saying they believe in the power of this event to attract real business prospects and customers, and the steady growth and diversification of this event speaks for itself,” said, Tom Kallman, CEO of Kallman Worldwide. “As the organizer of the U.S International Pavilion since 1996, our team is proud to help our exhibitors capitalize on this influential international business opportunity — and the extraordinary level of investment in medical infrastructure and innovation in the U.A.E. — to grow their share of the regional marketplace, and further extend our nation’s worldwide healthcare leadership.”

More than 250 of the American companies participating in Arab Health are exhibiting in the U.S. International Pavilion — 75 of them for the first time in the U.A.E. They range from publicly traded stalwarts to privately held small-and-medium-sized enterprises, all looking to initiate or strengthen international partnerships.

More than 10 U.S. hospital and clinical groups are exhibiting, continuing a trend to exchange medical knowledge and expertise with their counterparts in the U.A.E. toward the goal of improving patient care in both countries. Medical device manufacturers are promoting a wide range of equipment to be specified into hospitals, clinics and treatment facilities. Over-the-counter suppliers are leveraging their contracts with big U.S. retailers to secure shelf space with overseas chains. State economic development groups are promoting state-based suppliers, as well as the opportunity for overseas healthcare providers to operate in their states.

“Arab Health gathers healthcare professionals from all across the globe to learn from each other and support efforts to advance the fields of medicine, technology and patient care,” said Dr. Sherif Saad, CEO of Pavilion exhibitor Minnesota International Medicine. “It is a welcoming atmosphere where individuals share information and ideas which will strengthen the international community.”