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Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth Expands Its Global Reach With Greek And Cypriot Hospital Takeover

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 28, 2025

Abu Dhabi’s state-owned PureHealth Holding PJSC is set to acquire a 60% stake in the Greek healthcare giant Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) in a deal valued at around $2.3 billion. This move signals a major shift in the private healthcare sector in Greece and Cyprus.

CVC Capital Partners, currently holding a 35% stake in HHG, will retain its share. At the same time, the founder of the Greek healthcare provider will maintain the remaining ownership, according to the agreement’s details.

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The deal brings together HHG’s impressive portfolio, which includes some of Greece’s most renowned hospitals—Metropolitan, Hygeia, Metropolitan General, and Mitera—alongside key medical facilities in Cyprus, such as Apollonion Private Hospital, Aretaeio, and American Medical Center.

With this acquisition, PureHealth aims to drive growth by attracting more international patients and expanding its operations within Greece and Cyprus. The company has also indicated its interest in further acquisitions in the future.

PureHealth, with a market capitalization of around $11 billion, operates more than 100 hospitals and 300 clinics worldwide, employing over 56,000 staff. Recently, the company expanded its footprint by acquiring Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest private hospital network.

This acquisition aligns with PureHealth’s long-term strategy to generate half of its revenue from outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s broader goals of diversifying its economy beyond oil and expanding its global healthcare presence.

HHG, established in 2018, currently operates 1,630 hospital beds across its network, serving over 1.3 million patients annually. With a workforce of more than 5,359 employees, the group also works with 6,662 doctors. In addition to its hospitals, HHG owns diagnostic centers such as HealthSpot and Platon Diagnosis, along with offering home healthcare services and medical equipment trading.

CVC first entered the Greek healthcare sector in 2017 by acquiring a majority stake in Metropolitan Hospital and has since expanded its portfolio with acquisitions of Iaso General Clinic and the Hygeia Group.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.