GE Healthcare, the $17 billion healthcare business of General Electric Company (GE), has combined the Eastern and Africa growth markets (EAGM) region into a single International Diagnostic Imaging operation and appointed its new chief.

Richard di Benedetto has been appointed president and CEO of GE Healthcare International - EAGM region.

The EAGM pole has been created to support four large, self-sufficient regions - the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Central Asia, and Russia and CIS Countries, said a company statement. 

The new operation will significantly focus and accelerate GE’s growth in equipment and services markets in the EAGM region, which accounted for more than $600 million in revenue in 2007, it said.

With this new structure in place, it is expected to double GE Healthcare international revenue to $1.2 billion by 2010.

"I am thrilled to be leading the team driving this accelerated growth engine in Eastern and Africa growth markets to significantly advance GE’s localisation efforts and help transform healthcare delivery across this region,” said Richard.

“My team’s goal is to reinforce GE’s continued commitment to providing world-class healthcare solutions to the region, and proactively identify new areas where we can make a difference. One of the focal points will be research and development (R&D), based on regional requirements. Our aim is to build customised in-country solutions to accelerate response time in addressing local customers needs,” he noted.

"We can accomplish this by collaborating with local universities and engineering companies as well as partnering with local healthcare providers. Our mutual goal will be to design and develop innovative solutions that will be a true local fit for our customers," Richard added.-TradeArabia News Service