Leeds City Region showcases healthcare and life sciences sector to Gulf Tour 2017

This week, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) welcomed a delegation of senior representatives from the Department for International Trade (DIT), and partners, based in the Gulf. It forms part of the Gulf Tour 2017, sponsored by Pinsent Masons, Santander, Emirates and Links Group.

To maximise the impact of the visit to the region, the LEP organised a breakfast meeting and local company visits to explore growing trade opportunities in the Gulf for Leeds City Region SMEs. The population of the Middle East is estimated to be 350 million.

Local companies participating in the day include Paxman Scalp Cooling, Brandon Medical, TPP, Tissuemed, together with representatives from peer-to-peer export community ExportExchange and Medilink. The delegation visited Brandon Medical and TPP in the afternoon to learn more about the innovative healthcare products being developed in Leeds City Region.

The region’s healthcare and life sciences sector boasts the largest concentration of health informaticians in the UK, 22 per cent of UK digital health technology jobs, nine per cent of Medtech patents submitted by UK inventors originated in the City Region and it is home to four out of five NHS headquarters.

A recent report commissioned by the LEP identified the region’s top selling export as medicinal and pharmaceutical products, worth £2.5billion to the economy, 25 per cent of the total value of exports.

LEP Chair, Roger Marsh OBE, said:

“It’s so important to build relationships with the team based in the Gulf so that we can make personal connections and find trade opportunities for Leeds City Region businesses. Today we have showcased great local SMEs who have world-class products and services that growing economies like the United Arab Emirates need. The feedback has been very positive and we look forward to working together in the future. If you are thinking about how to sell more overseas, whether in the Gulf or other markets, get in touch with the LEP Growth Service who can help find you the right support.”

Adrian Hall, MD of Leeds-based Brandon Medical, makers of award-winning health technology devices, said:

“It was great to be invited by the LEP to take part in today, and we’re really pleased the delegation are taking the time to visit our company. Trading overseas is a vital part of our business model, and I know the demand is there for high-quality British made products. Building up market presence is the challenging part of export so to have influencers come and visit us is a significant opportunity.”

The international profile of the region’s healthcare and life sciences sector is continuing to grow following the recent announcement that US-owned Covance will expand its operations in the region by opening a new facility in York.

If you would like to find out more about doing business in the Gulf, read our new blogs about the UAE and Middle East, or call the team on Growth Service team on 0113 348 1818.