At the beginning of February we had the pleasure of welcoming a high level delegation from Rhineland Palatinate to Dubai led by State Secretary Petra Dick Walther as part of WHX Dubai 2026 taking place from 9 to 12 February. For the first time companies from Rhineland Palatinate presented themselves jointly under a shared state booth which marked an important milestone for the region and strengthened its positioning as a hub for medical technology healthcare and innovation in the Middle East.
In close coordination with the German Consulate General Dubai we organised and supported a comprehensive on site programme with a strong focus on institutional exchange within the UAE healthcare ecosystem. A central element of the visit was a series of high level meetings with key stakeholders shaping the future of healthcare in the UAE including an exchange with HE Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh Minister of Health and Prevention as well as the CEO and senior representatives from the Dubai Health Authority and leading organisations such as M42. These discussions provided valuable insights into regulatory frameworks ongoing transformation strategies and concrete opportunities for collaboration between German companies and UAE institutions.
In addition to the institutional dialogue the delegation visited established Rhineland Palatinate companies with a strong presence in the UAE including Boehringer Ingelheim, KSB Middle East and BASF. The direct exchange with these companies highlighted once again the importance of market knowledge regulatory understanding and trusted local networks for sustainable market entry and long-term success in the region while also underlining Dubai’s role as a strategic gateway to the Middle East.
The programme also included a focus on innovation in sustainable agriculture reflecting the Ministry’s responsibilities in this field. A visit to Emirates Bustanica one of the world’s largest vertical farming facilities provided valuable insights into advanced technologies resource efficient production methods and the UAE’s strategic approach to food security.
Overall the delegation’s presence at WHX Dubai and the programme across key sectors highlighted both the strengths of Rhineland Palatinate and the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and international collaboration. State Secretary Petra Dick Walther emphasised the significant opportunities the region offers particularly for small and medium sized enterprises and highlighted the potential for Rhineland Palatinate expertise to create meaningful international impact.
After five days of intensive exchange the programme concluded with a shared commitment to further deepen cooperation in healthcare MedTech and sustainable agriculture thereby strengthening the long term partnership between Rhineland Palatinate and the UAE and reinforcing a mutual ambition to drive innovation and excellence on an international level.