Ireland-based Fleming Medical, a supplier of medical devices, has signed its first direct distribution agreement in the Middle East with the UAE's City Pharmacy at the ongoing Arab health in 2016 in Dubai, UAE.

The deal represents a value of $1 million over the next three years and forms part of the company's strategy to focus on its Medicare brand worldwide.

Mark Fleming, managing director, Fleming Medical said: ''we are very pleased that the City Pharmacy Group has chosen Fleming Medical as their exclusive OTC partners and this takes our presence in the region to the next level, through their extensive network of established pharmacy trade business partners.''

Enterprise Ireland Middle East, the regional arm of the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, has marked its fifth year at Arab Health with a significant increase in the number of healthcare companies under its umbrella.

Ireland is renowned as a global hub for healthcare excellence and in 2011 healthcare companies made up 10 per cent of Enterprise Ireland's total exporters in the Middle East & North Africa region –

Ireland's MedTech sector has grown particularly well in international markets over the last 20 years. Ireland hosts more than 350 medical technology companies, including 13 of the top 15 global MedTech companies, employing 25,000 people and exporting almost EUR8 billion. Ireland is now the second largest exporter of high tech medical products in the EU and is internationally recognised as a location of choice for development and manufacture of high tech products.

Clare Roche, market advisor, at Enterprise Ireland Mena said: "Ireland is one of Europe's largest MedTech hotspots and a globally recognised centre of excellence. This is Ireland's fourth year hosting a national pavilion at Arab Health and interest among Irish companies has grown exponentially year on year. The UAE and wider Gulf Region offers a dynamic market where there is a strong match between the innovative products and services offered by Irish companies and the areas of demand in the region.”

Nutritics, the Irish provider of nutrition analysis software, has released a localised Middle East version of its software programme. The release will enable clinicians and nutrition professionals to analyse local foods and prescribe patients and clients with customised dietary analysis and meal planning reports in Arabic. – TradeArabia News Service