NMC Health plans to push into the healthcare markets of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, less than a week after raising £117 million (Dh680.1m) through its initial public offering in London.
The company began as a one-room clinic in the Emirates more than 35 years ago but has since grown to a network of five medical centres and eight pharmacies.
Now it seeks to expand throughout the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, starting with US$335m (Dh1.2 billion) of additional investments in the UAE, followed by entry into nearby GCC countries within three to four years.
"Our future plan - not immediately [and] when the situation improves - is we'll go to the Mena region totally," said BRShetty, the founder and chief executive of NMC Health. "To start with, Doha and Saudi Arabia."
Doha, in particular, shows strong growth potential as the city prepares to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup football tournament. "We have to start in Doha as soon as possible," said Mr Shetty.
Saudi Arabia, with a population of about 27 million, is likely to be another target market. NMC Health has been approached by "many people" from Saudi Arabia who are interested in a possible partnership, but Mr Shetty has yet to sign any deals. "I will take my time," he said.
Some of the scenarios the company is considering in the kingdom include taking over the operations of some hospitals, or entering into joint ventures to improve medical facility infrastructure.
NMC Health would not disclose how much it intends to spend in Saudi Arabia or Qatar.
But it has announced its plans to invest $335m in healthcare infrastructure within the UAE during the next three years, including among others a new private maternity hospital in the capital scheduled to open by August 1, Mr Shetty said.
This expansion project will be fuelled through $150m in long-term debt arrangements as well as funds raised from NMC Health's initial public offering.
NMC Health is listed on the London Stock Exchange, where it sold 55.7 million shares on Monday at 210 pence each under "conditional dealings". Shares had lifted to 224.25 pence by Wednesday's close and were expected to start full trading yesterday.
This marks the first time a company from Abu Dhabi has been included on the UK exchange's premium listing. It means NMC Health has to abide by certain rules about meeting Britain's "highest standards of regulation and corporate governance", according to the London Stock Exchange.
