Sami Abdel Raouf (Dubai)
Indian investors and founders of medical groups in the UAE confirmed that the Emirati-Indian relations are old, large, distinguished and strong, in addition to being historical relations, noting that the bilateral agreements signed by the two countries will have a major and influential role in strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields, including the health sector. . In exclusive statements to Al-Ittihad, they said: The historical relations in various fields between the two municipalities testify to the distinguished cooperation between the two sides, and are increasing day by day, especially in the health field, which has increased in the recent period. They pointed out that the health agreement will make a qualitative leap in Bilateral medical cooperation and an effective tool against the global epidemic, after the two sides agreed to cooperate in the fields of research, production and development of reliable supply chains for vaccines, noting the importance of enhancing Emirati investments in India’s health infrastructure.
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare Group, stressed that the Emirati-Indian relations are old, large, distinguished and strong, in addition to being historical relations, noting that the signing of a comprehensive economic agreement between the two countries will have a major and influential role in strengthening Relations between the two countries in various fields, including the health sector.
He pointed out that the historical relations in various fields between the two countries testify to the distinguished cooperation between the two sides, and it is increasing day by day, especially in the health field, which has increased in the recent period, describing the cooperation between the two municipalities in the medical field as “distinguished and old” that started with medical tourism between the two countries. the two countries for several decades. He stated that the medical cooperation between the UAE and India is a model in bringing highly qualified doctors and nurses with extensive practical experience to work in the health field in the UAE, not to mention the mutual visits of visiting doctors that aim to treat some difficult cases, as well as to train medical staff in hospitals and develop their medical capabilities.
provide vaccines
On the importance of cooperation in the fields of research, production and development of reliable supply chains for vaccines, Shamsheer said that India is home to the largest vaccine industry in the world, and is seen as a major supplier of vaccines to the poorest countries around the world. He said: “The UAE possesses logistical, technical and technological components that make it among the best countries in the world in this field. It is also characterized by its strategic location and its ability to reach any point in the world in the fastest time.”
He added: “These advantages for both countries will provide an inspiring model to help countries that need vaccines to confront epidemics and pandemics, and to enhance public health in many countries of the world, which will serve as a service to humanity to help it recover from diseases and epidemics.”
For his part, Dr. Mohiuddin Thumbay, Founding Chairman of Thumbay Healthcare Group, said: “The bilateral agreement between India and the UAE to cooperate in the areas of research, production and development of reliable chains of vaccines will be an effective tool against the global epidemic.”
He added, “This agreement reflects the commitment of both countries to the access of their people to vaccinations, as well as the expansion of global manufacturing through the establishment of external partnerships, an initiative that will provide great benefits in the long term even after the end of this (pandemic).”
On the promotion of Emirati investments in the fast-growing health infrastructure in India, Thumbay said that new investments mean strategic growth led by new job opportunities, reducing unemployment and raising the standard of living for many people, as well as stimulating social progress in the two fastest developing countries on the continent.
He described this as a “historic step”, as the integrated framework will help manufacturers and service providers in all sectors to build and significantly improve two-way investment flows.
He stressed the importance and benefits of health cooperation between the two countries, stressing that this agreement changes all the rules and will transcend the borders in the economic relations between the UAE and India. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is expected to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new level, which enhances the general economic expectations, Not only in the health sector, but in all sectors identified in the partnership framework during the next five years.
On the advantages of each country in the health field, Thumbay replied: “According to the framework of the pharmaceutical and pharmacological side, the UAE has agreed that medicines and medical products from India that have been approved by developed countries will gain access to the UAE market and obtain regulatory approvals within a period of time. A period of 90 days to market it in the UAE.
He continued, “In addition, it was decided to joint cooperation in the fields of research, production, development of reliable chains of vaccines, and to enhance the investments of Emirati entities in health infrastructure in India, as well as cooperation in providing health care in poor countries.”
He stressed that all these initiatives demonstrate the strength of the friendly bonds shared between visionaries in both the UAE and India, expecting tremendous growth in the coming years in the two countries.
business ownership
In turn, Dr. Azad Mobin, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare Group, stated that the strategic relations between the UAE and India are gaining momentum, and with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that was signed, it will pave many ways for trade, investment, services and employment, accordingly. .
He said, “The UAE has become the second home of more than 3.4 million Indians and India’s largest trading partner for many years. Through this agreement, we expect to increase business and cooperation between the two countries significantly.”
He pointed out that the UAE encouraged many initiatives, such as 100% business ownership, long-term residency, golden visa, and others, which greatly helped Indian investors to expand their investments in the UAE, stressing that such trade agreements would encourage us to establish investments. which are beneficial to the citizens of both countries.
Mobin said: “Aster DM Healthcare was founded and brought up in the UAE, and has expanded its business to reach many countries in the past 35 years, especially India, and we are probably the only company listed in India with a large part of our operations abroad.”
He added: “Aster has played a major role in enhancing the healthcare delivery model in the UAE over the years with 8 hospitals, 210 pharmacies and 95 clinics. We also have a large presence in India with 14 hospitals, 90 pharmacies and 66 laboratories and patient experience centers, spread across Five states of southern India. Mobin stressed that the comprehensive agreement between the UAE and India will enhance the expansion plans of his medical group in both the UAE and India.
Zulekha Daoud: Creating Diverse Job Opportunities
“Since I came to the UAE in 1963, which was then the Trucial States, trade between India and the UAE has been really active and flourished with high-level visits to both countries,” said Dr. Zulekha Daoud, Founder and Chairman of Zulekha Healthcare Group.
She added, “When officials met and discussed the opportunities, we could visualize the future benefits that we see today and will see in the coming days. Over the course of 58 years, in our hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, we have been able to create diverse job opportunities, which contribute to the social and economic well-being of individuals in both countries.” .
She pointed out that many other fields witnessed close cooperation between the UAE and India, such as energy, transportation, research, education, airlines, media, and many other industries, which witnessed an increase in the exchange of talents with these bilateral relations, stressing that both countries can effectively Common expanding their practices to other regions.