When Belgian innovation meets Saudi ambition: a look back at the HealthTech mission in Riyadh

Visit to the world's largest virtual hospital

Among the highlights of the mission, the visit to the SEHA Virtual Hospital, housed within the Ministry of Health, made an impression. This physical and digital platform illustrates the Kingdom's ambition: to connect more than 200 hospitals across the country, with a capacity to serve more than 300,000 patients. It offers patients the opportunity to consult specialized doctors based in Riyadh from local hospitals, thus integrating telemedicine and 24-hour remote monitoring through connected devices.

Julie de Bergeyck, Cluster Leader HealthTech, says: "During this amazing visit, patients are replaced by healthcare staff sitting behind their screens, in front of huge dashboards (provided by Barco), thus allowing access and monitoring of patients in very rural areas. Telemedicine, e-health integration, interoperability (FHIR and HL7 standards) and AI in action."

Global Health Exhibition: showcasing Saudi dynamism

The mission included visits to  the Global Health Exhibition, one of the most important health sector fairs in the region. There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia wants to go beyond Arab Health, the iconic Dubai trade show, and position itself as the strategic gateway to the Middle East healthcare market.

Jan Demey, CEO of HICT: "Sooner or later, it will happen here. It's the perfect place to set foot in the Middle East. The Global Health Exhibition is an alternative to Arab Health, where the world gathers. »
 

A clear ambition: "Saudi Arabia is open for business" & impressive pharaonic projects

The scale of the projects and the quality of the infrastructure bear witness to this desire. The pharaonic metro project, opened in 2024 with 85 state-of-the-art metro stations spread over several lines, fully automated and driverless, was completed in just 10 years. A demonstration of capacity and long-term vision.

If you're aiming for access to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is definitely a place to consider. The country is still little explored by visitors from outside the region, which makes it a unique opportunity. But let's not kid ourselves: while the registration and market access processes seem simple on the surface, the key lies in the relationship of trust, which requires time and a local presence. The Saudi authorities want committed, visible and invested partners.
 

Pieter Verkest, International Sales Manager at Haelvoet, an Agoria member: "They are adapting their national strategy and going beyond the oil economy. Their construction expertise is completely asserted, using the best in the world, but now they also want to assemble and produce locally to become a true regional hub."

Visits to private and public hospital sites also revealed high quality standards and a desire for constant innovation. And, openly, from the Ministry of Health to the field, they are looking for partners to support innovation in their hospitals, the pharmaceutical sector and the medical industry, but also for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
 

Photo: The Director General of Investment Promotion of the Ministry of Health presents business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including those related to the pilgrimage.

Ahmed AlKhatib, Barco's Middle East representative: "The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and a highly significant event for millions of Muslims, including those in Belgium. The Kingdom devotes a considerable budget to improving services to pilgrims, with even a dedicated ministry. I encourage all Belgian companies, whether they are manufacturers or service providers in the health sector, to offer their innovative ideas and solutions to support the Kingdom in this mission. Even a small idea can have a positive impact. This will help to develop cooperation, build bridges of trust and foster sustainable investment."

In 2026? Our Belgian princely mission is coming

If you are interested in the Middle East, the Belgian princely mission scheduled for next year in November 2026 will be the event not to be missed and a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a rapidly changing market, to forge lasting links and to position your HealthTech expertise... The doors will open more at dawn when two kingdoms meet.

PS: Other Agoria members were present: Meditech (robots for pharmacies), Synguard (access management), Kerteza (consultancy for laboratories – HITT group) and the former member Medic Clean Air (air purification).
 

Photo: Wim Van Cauteren (Trade and Investment Commissioner FIT) , Julie de Bergeyck (Agoria) and H.E Ambassador Pascal Grégoire