The countdown is on: In just under four months, the world’s largest healthcare trade fair will open its doors in Dubai. From February 9–12, 2026, the Dubai Exhibition Centre will become the stage for medical technology innovations from across the globe. Once again, the Northern German joint booth, organized by Life Science Nord, will be part of the event. On a record exhibition space of 150 m², up to 16 companies from Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein will showcase their expertise to an international professional audience.

For 50 years, the medical technology industry has gathered in Dubai to present the latest trends. Starting as a local exhibition, the former Arab Health Dubai has evolved into one of the most significant international healthcare events. The 50th anniversary last year provided the perfect occasion to rename the premier medical technology fair in the Middle East – now called World Health Expo Dubai. The main trade fair has also adapted spatially to new requirements: next year, for the first time, the world-leading trade show will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) – just 300 meters from the former Expo site.

More than 4,300 exhibitors from 180 countries and 110,000 healthcare professionals are expected at WHX Dubai from February 9–12, 2026, showcasing the latest in diagnostics, therapy, preventive and post-care, as well as IT solutions – including numerous exhibitors from Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

Northern German Joint Booth: A two-decade success story

For the past two decades, the Northern German joint booth – designed and organized by Life Science Nord – has offered an ideal, cost-effective “all-inclusive” sales platform. It places regional companies in the international spotlight, strengthening Northern Germany’s visibility as a MedTech and healthcare hub.

“For Hamburg, the World Health Expo Dubai is an ideal platform to showcase the innovation power of our location and, in particular, our medical technology sector internationally while strategically opening new markets in the Gulf region,” says Corinna Nienstedt, Head of the State Office at the Hamburg Senate Chancellery. “At the same time, the event provides an excellent opportunity to sustainably foster political relations between Hamburg and the United Arab Emirates and to expand strategic dialogue in many areas.”

For Hamburg, the World Health Expo Dubai is an ideal platform to showcase the innovation strength of our region, and in particular our medical technology sector, to an international audience while strategically opening new markets in the Gulf region.

Corinna Nienstedt, Head of the State Office at the Hamburg Senate Chancellery

Northern Germany in the global spotlight

The Hamburg Senate Chancellery and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce are supporters of the Northern German joint booth. The Dubai trade fair is regarded as an important “foreign trade measure” and “anchor project” for Northern Germany’s visibility in the Middle East. “Focusing on future-oriented topics in Dubai serves as a model for us and our Hamburg 2040 regional strategy,” says Dr. Malte Heyne, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. He adds that the United Arab Emirates and Northern Germany are the “perfect partners to fully exploit the economic potential of our regions.”

For the strong Northern German medical technology sector, the value of the Northern German joint booth is likely to continue growing in the coming years.

Dr. Malte Heyne, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

Flexible booth spaces for exhibitors

Next year, the Northern German joint booth will offer even more space for industry representatives at WHX Dubai. “With 150 m², we are reaching a record exhibition size,” says Markus Kräutner, Trade Fair Manager at Life Science Nord. Demand is high: the booth can accommodate approximately 16 exhibitors. According to Markus Kräutner, most of the space is already allocated. “But we still have booth spaces available.” From compact “info counters” of approximately 2.5 m² to very large areas, the Northern German joint booth offers a variety of participation options.

Welcoming new players to the Northern German trade hub

Life Science Nord also enables new companies in the sector to enter the Dubai market easily via the joint booth, building global presence and networks. The same applies to companies that previously had their own booth. For instance, WEINMANN Emergency Medical Technology GmbH & Co. will use the Northern German joint booth for the first time next year, after previously exhibiting independently. “We are seizing this moment to increase visibility within the Northern German network. As a company rooted in Northern Germany, regional networking is as important to us as global exchange – both come together ideally at the Northern German joint booth,” says André Schulte, Managing Director of WEINMANN. With a booth size of 27 m², the Hamburg-based emergency medical company is currently one of the largest tenants.

For us, the trade fair is not only about being close to customers and expanding into new markets, but also about gaining insights that inform our own innovation strategy.

André Schulte, CEO, WEINMANN Emergency Medical Technology GmbH + Co. KG

Driving innovation in medical technology

For companies like WEINMANN, WHX Dubai is not only a place to present expertise to an international audience. It is a platform for engaging with customers, entering new markets, and connecting with healthcare decision-makers, government representatives, and distributors. Moreover, “the trade fair allows us to gain insights that inform our own innovation strategy,” emphasizes Schulte. “It is a place where we can actively advance our mission – making life-saving medical technology available worldwide.”

Networking opportunities are also traditionally offered at the joint booth reception on the first day of the trade fair. “The Northern German joint booth, the strong network of Northern German exhibitors, and the close cooperation with the Hamburg Representation on site make it significantly easier for companies new to the fair and the market to establish themselves,” emphasizes Kirsten Staab, Head of the Hamburg Representation in Dubai. Opportunities to engage with healthcare representatives are also provided at the “Northern German Evening Reception,” organized annually by the participating partner institutions.

Especially in times of stricter visa regulations, WHX Dubai provides an ideal platform for German companies and their potential customers from the region all the way to the Far East to network and demonstrate global presence.

Kirsten Staab, Head of the Hamburg Representation in Dubai

A key trade partner for Northern Germany

Dr. Malte Heyne, CEO of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, is confident: “For the strong Northern German medical technology sector, the value of the Northern German joint booth – incidentally a format of joint foreign trade promotion – is likely to continue growing in the coming years.”

Beyond WHX, Hamburg and Dubai maintain close economic ties, benefiting Northern Germany’s healthcare industry. In May, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) signed an agreement for strategic cooperation to promote innovation and startups.

Events like WHX Dubai help build sustainable bridges between Northern Germany and the Middle East – as different as these two regions may be. Those who look closely will also discover many similarities!

Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai

“The United Arab Emirates are Germany’s most important trade partner in the MENA region – particularly in the healthcare and medical technology sector,” says Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai. “This makes the continuous Northern German presence, as well as that of other German federal states, at the World Health Expo Dubai all the more significant – not only for the international visibility of the regional healthcare industry but also for the targeted expansion of economic and scientific cooperation.”

Text: Beatrix Boldt

Featured image: Informa Markets, Organisers of WHX Dubai (formerly Arab Health)