BALTIMORE, MD (January 29, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) announced today that its International Trade and Investment team is leading a delegation of Maryland companies this week to Arab Health 2015, the world’s second largest healthcare exhibition. This is the second year that DBED has traveled to Dubai for the trade show, promoting the State’s assets as well as a number of companies to a global audience.
“The Arab Health show is truly a unique opportunity to reach the decision makers of many of the world’s largest healthcare companies and let them know that Maryland is open for business,” said DBED Secretary Mike Gill. “With more than 4,000 exhibitors from around the globe, this show is also critical to any Maryland healthcare company looking to market their products and services to new overseas customers.”
The Maryland companies traveling to Arab Health this year include Cognuse, Inc. (Baltimore City); Dimetek Digital Medical Technologies (Bethesda); IOB Medical (Gaithersburg); Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics (Bethesda); Man and Machine (Landover); Mawi DNA Technologies (Gaithersburg); and Pevco Systems (Middle River).
“Pevco is proud to be a part of Maryland’s vibrant healthcare industry,” said Pevco President Fred Valerino Jr. “We are excited to partner with the State of Maryland to bring our industry-leading pharmaceutical, specimen and blood product delivery technology to the Arab Health Conference and cost-effectively grow our business in the Gulf region.”
Also attending the conference is Red Bag Solutions of Halethorpe, a manufacturing and service environmental company. Red Bag joined the Maryland delegation at Arab Health last year and not only gained successful exposure to overseas companies, but also established a distributor in the Middle East. This year, the company graduated from the Maryland booth and is operating its own 10x20 space at the trade show.
“With help and support from DBED, our company’s technology has attracted much interest from the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait,” said William Norton, Executive Vice President of Red Bag Solutions. “Since our introduction last year was so positive, we are returning in 2015 with our UAE distributor in an effort to expand our Middle East exposure and sales results.”
To assist Maryland companies with expanding into the global marketplace, DBED awarded four ExportMD grants this past December to Arab Health attendees Mawi DNA and Man and Machine, as well as Moss Marine of Baltimore and Joyful Bath Co. of North Bethesda.
“Trade shows in smaller but potentially lucrative markets are important to our company's growth,” said Clifton Broumand, President of Man and Machine. “The ExportMD grants and the support of the State of Maryland allow Man and Machine to leverage a relatively small marketing budget to increase sales and substantially increase our bottom line.”
ExportMD grants are provided to small and mid-sized companies on a bi-monthly basis to assist with traveling and marketing costs associated with international trade shows. The next application deadline for the ExportMD program is February, 1 2015 and eligibility requirements can be found on DBED's website at www.choosemaryland.org.
During fiscal year 2014, DBED awarded ExportMD grants to 35 Maryland companies to undertake international initiatives, and since 2012, 52 grant recipients have leveraged more than $133 million in export sales.
Established in 1999, the Export MD program provides matching grants that are capped at $5,000 as well as up to 40 hours of marketing consulting from DBED’s Office of International Trade and Investment. To increase the number of Maryland companies that export, the State launched the Maryland Export Initiative in 2010. Created to complement the National Export Initiative, which President Barack Obama announced to increase the nation’s exports and create two million jobs in five years, Maryland’s export initiative focuses on increasing export assistance to small businesses, creating jobs and leveraging the resources of existing federal and nonprofit partners.
About DBED:
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit www.choosemaryland.org.
