Global Import Regulations for

Saudi Arabia

General Market Condition: No Restrictions, but Ministry of Health and Government Hospitals Do Not Purchase

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 9 September 1998

There are no Saudi standards nor any specifications that apply to used or refurbished medical equipment. The Ministry of Health and other Saudi government hospitals will, however, abstain from purchasing such equipment. Other clinics and hospitals might purchase the same only from an established local agent who should be able to provide maintenance and spare parts for 10 years. The only standard that applies relates to electrical specifications, i.e. 110 V, 60 Hz.

Serbia and Montenegro

General Market Condition: No Restrictions

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 23 July 1998

The Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) permits the importation of used equipment other than vehicles and construction equipment. Tariffs are generally the same or slightly higher than for new equipment of the same type. Vehicles equipped with medical equipment may be imported if they are not more than 4 years old.

The used equipment market in the FRY is relatively new and undeveloped. Most large firms are socially owned and appear to be adverse to purchases of used equipment. Reports indicate that price is often not the primary criterion for decision makers of such firms. Smaller firms appear to have some interest in used equipment, but face bureaucratic hurdles and possess low purchasing power. The Serbian government recently decided to prohibit imports of used clothing, which was beginning to gain a foothold in the FRY. This ban sends a cautionary signal about prospects for significant development of the used equipment market, although the ban may be an isolated case since it was part of a set of actions taken to reduce imports of consumer goods.

Senegal

General Market Condition: No Restrictions, but Public Institutions Do Not Buy

Source: Report from CS Post (via Cable), 6 April 2001

The market for used/refurbished medical equipment in Senegal is very limited, if not non-existent. In a country where the public sector is the biggest purchaser and user of medical equipment, major impediments to the sale of used medical equipment remain, due to public procurement procedures and to technical constraints.

In the public sector, all purchases of medical equipment are made either through international tenders financed by the World Bank and other multilateral donors or they are financed by the Senegalese government’s special investment budget. A stringent requirement is that the equipment be new.

The technical constraints essentially concern the norms and standards. The Senegalese market is based on European standards: 50 cycles, 220 volts. Professionals in the sector report that sophisticated medical equipment, such as imaging equipment, radiography and echography that use the standard u.s. 110 volts, is degraded when stepped-up to 220 volts. Further, all documentation and training need to be available in French. The availability of spare parts and a technically qualified agent to deliver after-sales service are critical to achieving success in the market.

The private sector market consists of private clinics and practices almost exclusively based in the Dakar area. This market segment does not have the same restrictions as the public sector, therefore used/ refurbished equipment could find acceptance here. However, the acceptance to date is somewhat limited. The importers contacted during this research mentioned that used equipment might have an image problem to overcome. The equipment is already perceived as old and there might be concern regarding its reliability and the availability of spare parts. Therefore, those importers rarely import used medical equipment. Some private purchases are done directly by the private clinics.

There are no government regulations barring the import of used medical equipment. As with other imports, used medical equipment is subject to import duties and taxes.

Key contacts

Government

Ministry of Health Building Administratif Dakar
Tel: [phone]
Minister: Mr. Abdou Fall
Agetip Boulevard
Djily Mbaye Dakar
Tel: [phone]
M. Maguette Wade, Director
Agetip is a world bank-funded agency. Agetip monitors public tenders for medical equipment.

Major Importers

Technologies Services Rue Aime Cesaire - Fann Residence B. P. 5249 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mobil: [phone] E-Mail: [e-mail] Mrs. Dedee Dieynaba Ba, Director	Delta Medical 57, Rue Mousse Diop B. P. 7020 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Dr. Sammy Hannouche, Director
Boulch Electronics 140, Rue Mousse Diop B. P. 1564 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mr. Jean-Marie Boulch, Director	Cadecur Rue 11 X F, Point E - Zone B Imm. Hadjjar B. P. 5012 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mr. Claude Blain, Director
Certec Equipements 36, Rue V. Hugo X J. Gomis B. P. 11275 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-Mail: [e-mail] Mr. Abdourahmane Ndoye, Director	La Maison Du Medecin Rue Vincens Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mr. Barro, Director
Materiel Hospitalier 8, Boulevard De La Republique B. P. 179 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mr. Henri Urbain, Director	Fermon Distribution 96, Rue Carnot Dakar Tel/Fax: [phone] Mrs. Cecile Khadige Akar, Manager
Adansonia 31 Rue Abdou Karim Bourgi B. P. 200 Dakar Tel/Fax: [phone] Mr. Bara Diop, Manager	Sodemed 10, Boulevard De L’est X Rue 2 Point E B. P. 2170 Dakar Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-Mail: [e-mail] M. Ndongo Ndoye, Director. Elam-Thomas