• Surgical facemasks accounted for 40% of medical supplies imported from China to the UAE, followed by medical gowns (10%) and face shields (9%)
  • Launched earlier this year, the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) is a free-to-use platform connecting UAE companies and healthcare providers with reliable suppliers of PPE products

Dubai, UAE: The number of companies listing on Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s online marketplace for personal protective equipment (PPE) has surged 340% since its launch earlier this year in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chamber revealed that 66 companies are registered on the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) marketplace, up from 15 companies in July. RRI is a free-to-use platform connecting UAE companies and healthcare providers with trusted reliable suppliers of PPE products.

New analysis by Dubai Chamber based on data from TradeMap identified China as the largest exporter of medical supplies to the UAE. According to the data, the value of China’s exports of Covid-19 medical supplies to the UAE reached $623.7 million during the March and June 2020 period, marking a year-over-year surge of 357%.

Surgical facemasks accounted for 40% of the total value of medical products imported to the UAE from China, or $247.8 million, followed by $60 million worth of medical gowns (10%) and face shields (9%) valued at $53.8 million.

Products listed on the online PPE marketplace include surgical and reusable facemasks and shields, safety goggles, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, medical gowns and coveralls, ventilators and thermometers. 

Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber said the exponential growth achieved by the Rapid Response Initiative reflects the rising demand for PPE products in the UAE, as well as digital solutions and services that cater to the changing needs of business in the country.

He described the Rapid Response Initiative as a prime example of how Dubai is harnessing innovation to curb the spread of Covid-19, improving ease of doing business and eliminating barriers to trade, adding that online marketplace is the latest in a series of Dubai Chamber initiatives supporting the business community as it navigated unprecedented challenges created by the outbreak.

Businesses interested in buying or selling on the online marketplace can visit the following link: https://gtn.dubaichamber.com/rri/rapid-response-initiative 

-Ends-

Editor’s note

Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favourable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.

Follow us on:

www.facebook.com/dubaichamber
www.twitter.com/dubaichamber
http://www.linkedin.com/company/dubai-chamber-of-commerce-&-industry/
www.youtube.com/DubaiChamberTV
www.instagram.com/dubaichamber

For more information, please contact:
Ruba Abdel Halim
Manager, PR & Corporate Communications
Tel: +971 4 2028450
Email: ruba.halim@dubaichamber.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.