Gangwon Province Achieves Record-High 21.67 Million Dollars in Exports at Dubai World Health Expo

Gangwon's Medical Devices Rise to No. 1 in Exports to the UAE
"Surpassing India and the United States"...A Jackpot in the Middle Eastern Market
Export Consultations Up 52%, Export Contracts Up 23%
Growth Across All Areas Compared to Last Year's A

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jintae) has begun its push into the Middle Eastern market by participating in the Middle East’s largest medical device exhibition, the 2026 Dubai World Health Expo (WHX Dubai 2026), where it achieved its largest-ever export contracts totaling $21.67 million (about KRW 32.5 billion).

Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, announced on the 23rd that, while participating in the Middle East's largest medical device exhibition, the 2026 Dubai World Health Expo (WHX Dubai 2026), he secured the largest export contract in history worth US$21.67 million (about KRW 32.5 billion). Provided by Gangwon Province

The province formed an export delegation led by Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Kim Gwangrae, together with Chuncheon City, Wonju City, and the Wonju Medical Industry Techno Valley, and visited Dubai, UAE from February 8 to 13. During the exhibition, the delegation operated a Gangwon joint pavilion and pursued cooperation with key local institutions.

At this exhibition, 23 medical device companies from the province took part and held 1,154 export consultations worth a total of $50.84 million. As a result, they achieved export outcomes totaling $21.67 million, including 227 deals under negotiation worth $15.72 million and on-site contracts worth $5.95 million.

This figure represents a 23% increase compared with the $17.55 million recorded at Arab Health last year. The total value of consultations also rose by 52%, from $33.54 million to $50.84 million, showing growth across all indicators.

The main target countries span a wide range of regions, including the Middle East, Europe (such as Italy and Spain), and Africa (such as Ethiopia and South Africa).

In particular, Simstech conducted consultations worth $18 million, Autom Co., Ltd. held consultations worth $6 million, and Neuroears Co., Ltd. held consultations worth $5.03 million, drawing strong interest from global buyers.

In addition, this visit went beyond exhibition participation and sales activities and served as an opportunity to build a cooperative network with key local institutions.

Dubai Hospital expressed interest in exchanges with Yonsei University Severance Hospital, and by understanding the hospital’s procurement processes and systems for electronic equipment and medical devices, the parties plan to establish a framework for ongoing business relations.

HCT University hopes to promote talent exchanges with universities in the province, such as Yonsei University Mirae Campus, and plans to link this to technology advancement and development of localized products through joint R&D projects between universities.

The agreement with the Dubai chapter of the Overseas Korean Traders Association (OKTA) is expected to serve as a practical channel for securing local distribution networks and promoting corporate exchanges. The parties agreed to pursue mutual exchanges at events to be held this year, such as an export consultation meeting inviting overseas buyers and the Gangwon Medical Device Exhibition.

The province has asked the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to visit companies in the province within the next two to three months, and this is expected to lead to comprehensive economic cooperation, including revitalizing exchanges in the corporate and tourism sectors at the chamber-of-commerce level between the two regions.

The province’s achievements in entering the Middle Eastern market are already being confirmed through concrete figures.

On-site scene at the 2026 Dubai World Health Expo (WHX Dubai 2026). Provided by Gangwon Province

Exports from Gangwon to the UAE in 2025 amounted to $111.4 million, a 210% increase from the previous year’s $35.94 million. In particular, exports of medical electronic devices reached $61.48 million, up 801%, making the UAE the province’s top export destination for such products, ahead of India and the United States.

With the latest results included, exports to the UAE in 2026 are expected to grow even more sharply, and the UAE is projected to firmly establish itself as Gangwon’s sixth-largest export destination and a key strategic partner country.

Governor Kim Jintae said, “Last year, I visited in person, and this year we organized an export delegation led by the Vice Governor for Economic Affairs. As a result, the scale of export contracts increased by 23% compared with the previous year, delivering even greater achievements. In particular, medical devices from Gangwon ranked first among the province’s export items last year. I ask for your continued interest in and support for Gangwon’s medical device industry going forward.”