Surge in demand for security equipment comes as largest ever edition of Intersec features 1,290 exhibitors from 55 countries DUBAI — Spending on the Middle East physical security market is set to surge by 36 percent in 2016, as infrastructure investment coupled with increased urbanization fuels demand for equipment to protect critical assets and people, according to new research. Global analysts Frost & Sullivan estimated the regional demand for physical security equipment will be worth $5.2 billion in 2016 compared to $3.8 billion in 2015. Physical security solutions such as intruder alarms, video surveillance, electronic locks, perimeter protection, door alarms, access control protocols and identification systems are in high demand, while the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) will mean an increase in smarter and networked systems available in the market. According to Frost & Sullivan, the intensity of investment is expected to peak during the next two years toward 2020, when spending on physical security will reach $10.2 billion, comprising 10 percent of the global market. The figures were announced Tuesday at a press conference in the lead-up to Intersec 2016, the world's leading trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, taking place on Jan. 17-19 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 18th edition of the three-day event will open 10 percent larger than the previous year, featuring 1,290 exhibitors from 55 countries, and spanning 50,000sqm of exhibition space. According to organizer Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Intersec 2016 will be the most internationally representative ever, while UAE exhibitor participation is also at an all-time high, growing eight percent over the previous year, with 217 exhibitors covering 10,400sqm of exhibition space. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: "Trends such as the Internet of Things is having a significant impact on the regional security, safety and fire protection industries, where products and services are increasingly becoming interconnected and ‘Smart'." "This is especially true in Dubai – the home of Intersec for the last 17 years – where our ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently issued a decree to establish the Dubai Smart City Office, a new government body facilitating Dubai's efforts to transform itself into the smartest city in the world." "With this in mind, we've introduced a new Smart Home section at Intersec 2016 as a starting point to showcase technologies that support smarter, safer, and more energy efficient buildings in Dubai, the UAE, and the wider Middle East." Smart Home along with Physical & Perimeter Security are the latest additions to the five other core sections at Intersec 2016 of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, and Information Security. The biggest growth year-on-year is recorded in the Fire & Rescue and Information Security sections; with 374 exhibitors, Fire & Rescue increased in size by 27 percent year-on-year, while 40 exhibitors in Information Security means the fast-growing section dedicated to combating cyber threats has doubled in size in both exhibitor numbers and exhibition space. Commercial Security remains the largest individual section with 543 exhibitors, while Physical & Perimeter Security (49 exhibitors), Safety & Health (167 exhibitors), and Homeland Security & Policing (99 exhibitors) are also widely represented. Pauwels added: "There is no other security, safety, and fire protection trade show anywhere in the world with such a diverse international mix of companies, of whom at least 100 have officially confirmed new product launches, from the world's first and only remote-controlled firefighting support machine, to smart home security systems using the latest building automation technologies." "With 83 percent of exhibitors based outside of the UAE, and 37 of the world's top 50 security solutions providers on-board – including, once again, the entire top ten – Intersec truly is a global event, and the world's leading knowledge-sharing and business networking platform for anyone involved in safety, security, and fire protection." Lt. Col. Jamal Ahmed Ibrahim, Director of Preventive Safety Department, General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defence, said: "The Dubai Civil Defense is determined to be leaders in all fields of activity by implementing the latest in protection, prevention and control technologies, with integrated methodology that achieves our vision: For the UAE to be one of the world's leading countries in terms of safety and security." "In accordance with this strategic vision, the Civil Defense has achieved globally competitive developmental levels across all its services, which are 100 percent electronically applicable. At Intersec 2016, we will showcase a wide range of our smart services which include safety systems for smart homes; personal safety panels; exploration panels and intelligent buildings reader systems. "We will also showcase an Innovators Corner and announce the latest updates and modifications to the UAE Safety Code, along with a series of new training and development programmes of the Emirates Academy of Civil Defence Sciences in Dubai." Other new additions this year at Intersec 2016 include a Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion in the Fire & Rescue section, along with a dedicated Jobs & Careers Pavilion, bringing thousands of professionals together with specialist security-related recruitment companies. The three-day event will also feature a dedicated series of industry conferences held in cooperation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defense; the Occupational Health & Safety Conference will take place on Jan. 17-18, while the Middle East Fire Conference and the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference will both take place on Jan. 18-19. More than 28,000 trade buyers from 118 countries are expected to visit Intersec 2016, all of which will stop by the 14 country pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, USA, and for the first time will see pavilions from France, the Czech Republic and India. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Intersec is the flagship event of Messe Frankfurt's global network of 11 security and safety shows, including Secutech in Taiwan, Secutech India, Secutech Thailand, Secutech Vietnam, Intersec Buenos Aires, Seguriexpo Buenos Aires, TB Forum powered by Intersec in Moscow, SecProTec East Africa powered by Intersec in Nairobi, Innosecure in Germany and the new Intersec Forum
