Rehab Dubai 2008 opens today with strong local and international participation

H.E Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi Minister of Social Affairs and H.E. Werner Van Cleemputte Executive Director International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) will grace the inaugural ceremony.

The UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in United Arab Emirates Dr. Khaled Alloush will also be present. Mr Thani Jumma the chairperson of the organising Committee and chairman of Dubai Club for Special Sports revealed this in a statement today today. The Department of Tourism and Commerce marketing, Dubai Conventions Office is the official supporter while Etisalat as a technology partner, and Nakheel the platinum sponsor.

Since its inception, Rehab Dubai has raised the profile of disability, awareness and rehabilitation issues in the UAE and in the Middle East region. This reflected in the growing number of rehabilitation conferences, university courses, standardization of rehabilitation services, and creation of infra-structural facilities for the disabled. Promotion of tourism for the disabled has also gained special attention from governments and semi government institutions in the region, Mr. Thani added.

With over 10 million severely disabled people among the Arab population, the market for Arab rehabilitation products, spurred by a series of rehabilitation projects undertaken by the governments in the region estimated at $7bn annually.

Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, President of INDEX Holding, the organiser of Rehab said, "A specialised exhibition parallel to the conference will invite therapy centres, handicapped clubs, institutions encouraging and training the participants with special needs, companies offering medical solutions, academic software's, rehabilitation equipment as well as universities and rehab schools to contribute to this special three day gathering."

Al Madani added, "Rehab 2008 will give manufacturers, suppliers, traders and distributors of rehabilitation equipment the opportunity to reach new markets in a short period of time though exhibiting and meeting Government officials, purchasing officers, decision makers and representatives of regional rehabilitation hospitals, clinics, centres and institutions.
Rehab will display the latest rehabilitation products and services from different parts of the world. Rehab Dubai is the only platform in the Middle East that will bring together investors, manufacturers, suppliers and products and services providers and consumers under one roof. B2B meetings and direct face-to-face contacts will be arranged, which will result in exploring new markets and conclude long-term deals," Mr.Madani said.