The best of Australian medtech and digital health took centre stage at WHX Dubai 2026, the largest healthcare trade show in the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
The event provided a significant platform to showcase and advance Australia's healthcare capability and innovations in the region. Australia's expanded pavilion presence at WHX Dubai 2026 was supported by the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million program helping Australian businesses diversify and grow their exports. ANMI is designed and jointly delivered by Austrade and industry.
The recently implemented Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has opened further opportunities for Australian health and medtech companies to diversify and expand to MEA, leveraging the UAE as a regional business hub.
'CEPA has strengthened trade pathways to a region determined to improve access to high-quality healthcare for its citizens,' says Mounir Sankary, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade. 'WHX provided a timely platform to reinforce these opportunities in conversations with regional stakeholders and partners.'
Australian capability meets Middle East health needs
This year, 40 Australian companies attended WHX Dubai. Austrade worked in close collaboration with states and industry partners to showcase their innovative solutions across digital health, medtech and advanced healthcare solutions at the Australia Pavilion.
Across the 4-day program, the Austrade team facilitated:
- more than 100 targeted business meetings
- multiple high-value commercial discussions
- insightful market and regulatory briefings by experts
- MOU signings and partnership explorations
- engagement with hospital groups, distributors, investors and government stakeholders.
During the event, Austrade and the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) launched the Medical Technology, Devices and Diagnostics Industry Capability Report (ICR), jointly developed by the two organisations. MTAA is part of the Trade Diversification Network, comprising 40 national peak industry bodies working with government to help exporters diversify and expand into new markets under ANMI.
Launched by Bryony Hilless, Consul-General Dubai and General Manager, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, the ICR provides a market-ready narrative of Australia's medtech capability. Its launch at WHX positioned Australia as a trusted, committed health innovation partner to the Middle East.
Another highlight was witnessing Dubai Health receiving accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) International. Dubai Health operates a vast network of hospitals and health and medical fitness centres across Dubai. The Australian accreditation recognises the quality, safety and international credibility of public hospitals and other health facilities in Dubai.
Other highlights included:
- Aspen Medical and ICME signing an MoU to advance healthcare infrastructure and services across emerging markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa
- Digital health firm Nabu.ai moderating and winning the friendly pitchfest at the Digital Health Innovations Ecosystems Forum.
Interest was high among Middle Eastern attendees, with Australian businesses demonstrating export readiness, regulatory maturity and scalable solutions aligned to regional priorities. These included digital transformation, AI-enabled diagnostics, connected care and workforce innovation.
Beyond business matching, Austrade supported media engagement, on-stand promotion and brand visibility - ensuring Australian companies received maximum exposure during the event. Austrade is now working with clients to follow up opportunities.
