China exported $623.7 million worth of Covid-19 medical goods to the UAE from March to June 2020, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry says.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical facemasks accounted for 40 percent of the amount, at $248.7 million, followed by medical gowns at 10 percent, and face shields at nine percent.
The chamber said China’s exports of the protective medical goods to the UAE more than tripled year on year from March to June 2020, increasing by 357 percent.
The number of companies listed on the chamber’s Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) website, which connects UAE companies looking to source PPE to healthcare providers, also tripled - surging by 340 percent from 15 companies in July to 66 in August.
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 RRI is the latest in a series of Dubai Chamber initiatives which will support the business community to navigate unprecedented challenges created by the pandemic.