Methodist International enters unprecedented health care agreement in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey

Methodist International has signed a 10-year agreement with a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, a development firm based in the U.A.E. This major partnership in the Middle East makes the Methodist Hospital System the first Texas Medical Center institution to operate outside the United States.

Prescription for growth

Methodist International (MI), a subsidiary of The Methodist Hospital in Houston, has signed an unprecedented agreement with Emaar Healthcare Group (EHG), the healthcare subsidiary of United Arab Emirates-based Emaar Properties, to build, operate and manage its healthcare centers throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. Under this agreement, a strategic partnership was formed to promote best practice standards and to develop and manage hospitals and clinics in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.

“Healthcare is a prime sector for global expansion,” says Aida Araissi, Managing Director of the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Houston. “We see tremendous opportunities for U.S. healthcare providers in the Middle East.” She sees several factors driving this trend. The healthcare market is growing at an exponential pace, with Middle East governments currently shouldering 75 percent of the cost while they encourage privatization and spend billions of dollars on infrastructure and development. In addition, travel visas to the U.S. are harder to come by now than in the past.

Under these circumstances, Araissi says, “U.S. hospitals are wise to pursue these branding opportunities- brand Methodist and brand Houston and set a U.S. standard for medical care over there.” Several other Texas Medical Center hospitals are currently in negotiations, according to Araissi, and she expects to see more announcements of joint ventures coming out soon.

Excerpt from Houston Business Journal - by Monica Perin

July 25th, Algeria Briefing

Senior Commercial Officer, Douglas Wallace
Corporate Member Event

For details contact Robert Meara,
connect@bilateralchamber.org or (713) 880 8168

August 13th, A Taste of Morocco

Professionals Networking Event
Members- Free; Non-Members-$10

For details contact Robert Meara,
connect@bilateralchamber.org or (713) 880 8168