Look forward to Intersec 2016

January 7, 2016

Look forward to Intersec 2016

Philip Ingram, SecurityNewsDesk

If you have ambitions for your security, fire or safety business then there is only one place to be between Sunday 17th and Tuesday 19th January 2016: Intersec in Dubai.

Having attended for the past 3 years, I have seen the show grow in numbers of exhibitors, footfall of visitors and strength of atmosphere. The usual exhibition hall buzz is felt even more at Intersec than any other exhibition, and is reflected in the business made on the exhibition floor and the side meetings happening all over the city.

Intersec describes itself as, “the world’s leading and most international security and safety exhibition.” Certainly it is the most international exhibition I have been to, with an eclectic mix of nationalities and cultures brought together in what is also the world’s largest by footfall and floor space. Combine this with the very real business opportunities and I can fully understand why Intersec claims the “world’s leading” status.

Security firm G4S, which provides services to protect people, facilities and assets across the Middle East, estimates the market in 2015 to be worth US$7 Billion and predicts an annual growth rate in the market of ten percent across Egypt and the Gulf States. G4S’s regional managing director for the Middle East, Chris Fergus, said, “the energy sector continues to drive regional demand for safety and security services.”

This statement was made before the tragic attack on the Russian Airliner flying out of Sharm el Sheikh and the increase in terrorist acts attributed to Daesh across the region. Investment in security with this growing threat is likely to increase further.

In a recent report, Consultancy Frost & Sullivan predicted homeland security, which includes border security for land, sea and air, critical infrastructure protection, transportation security and cyber security, will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.7 percent and reach US$34 billion by 2020.

Part of this growth can be put down to a number of large-scale projects that are expected to fuel this growth. Some of these include the Expo 2020 in Dubai and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the Midfield Terminal Complex in Abu Dhabi, which is forecast to handle 30 million passengers a year.

Intersec promises to be even bigger in 2016: it will present over 1,300 exhibitors that will showcase a truly comprehensive range of products across five broad sections, including Commercial Security, Information Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health and Homeland Security & Policing. New sub-product sections will be also introduced during the upcoming 18th edition of the show: Smart Home & Home Automation Equipment, Safety Design in Buildings and Physical & Perimeter Security.

One of the unique aspects of the show is the way it acts as an intercontinental and regional melting pot. Visitors from Africa including Sub Saharan Africa, Asia, China, the Americas, Europe, across the Middle East, Russia and many NGOs all congregate in the relaxed surroundings of Dubai to use the show for everything it provides.

Zahir Shah, Director of Silk Route Impex, Pakistan said of Intersec 2015, “It was a fantastic experience to be at Intersec 2015. The number of exhibitors and the diversity of the products was phenomenal. I was myself interested in a number of products, such as gas and heat detectors, car tracking systems, including metals and explosive detectors.”

The UK’s BSIA is always well represented at Intersec, and some of their members have shared why the show is so important to them. Geoff Jones, Director of RGL Electronics, comments: “RGL have been active in the Middle East for many years and we have built on our successes through participation in various large and prestigious projects throughout the region.”

Ana Maria Sagra-Smith, GJD’s International Sales and Marketing Director, comments: “The Middle East is a key market for GJD, which is why we regularly exhibit at Intersec.”

Peter Jarvis, Senior Executive VP of Storm-AXS, comments: “Dubai is a location that features many of the world’s contemporary landmark buildings. Intersec 2016 provides a unique opportunity to establish and develop relationships with architects and building management companies. For a small British company promoting innovation in technology and quality by design, the UAE represents a market sector that values and demands premium quality.”

Clym Brown, Marketing Director at Texecom, comments: “Texecom is obsessive about providing world-class protection for people and property everywhere. Exhibiting at Intersec showcases our solutions to the Middle East market and beyond.”

The world’s largest CCTV manufacturer, Hikvision, sees real potential for growth in the Middle East: “With the increasing terrorist threat across the region, public awareness of security has increased, and with new regulations regarding compulsory CCTV in the UAE and Qatar and more coming in from Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain we see huge opportunities for our products,” said Binson Xu, General Manager for Hikvision Middle East and North African markets.

So, if you fancy escaping the winter blues and visiting something worthwhile, do say hello in the corridors of Intersec 2016 – we look forward to seeing you there!

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