The agreement will enable Fresenius Medical Care to initiate activities in a key Middle Eastern market. It also is aimed as a key aspect of both groups' strategy to expand their business in the region. Both entities have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction under discussion.

"Initiating patient care operations in the Middle East has been a defined path in our overall growth strategy, and we are convinced that the contract with SEHA is an excellent basis for the growth of Fresenius Medical Care in this region. The contract will allow our company to significantly strengthen its sales and distribution network and expand our presence in this key market," said Fresenius Medical Care's Dr. Emanuele Gatti, CEO for Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, managing director and chairman of SEHA, commented, "We are delighted to have engaged Fresenius Medical Care as our exclusive partner in the management of our renal patients. We look forward to benefiting from the knowledge and skills of the leader in this sector in building a world-class patient care organization that delivers on its promise of high-quality health care services for the people. We also look forward to pursuing other development activities in the region with our partner Fresenius Medical Care."

Dr. Ali Abdulkareem Al Obaidli, chief of clinical affairs for SEHA and a practicing renal specialist, added, "This is good news for Abu Dhabi. Bringing in the world's best providers and managers is part of our business strategy. This partnership will result in improved service levels and better outcomes for our dialysis patients."

Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1.89 million individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,599 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 202,414 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care also is the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS/P).