Intersec opens on positive note; offers 22% more space

Shaikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visiting a stall after inaugurating the 16th edition
of Intersec at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. — KT photo by Leslie Pableo

The largest ever edition of Intersec on Sunday opened for business where leading international safety and security exhibitors are set to launch varied range of products and solutions during the three-day event.

The 16^th edition is 22 per cent larger than the previous edition and UAE companies’ participation is also more than 10 per cent higher than the previous show, according to the event organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

Exhibitors are showcasing a vast range of latest technologies in terms of hardware and softwares as well. In addition to equipment, there are a couple of companies showcasing protection products for different sectors.

Global demand for security services is set to grow at 7.4 per cent annually to $244 billion in 2016. According to recent research by G4S, the growth rate in the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman) is as high as 10 per cent. With 1,210 companies from 54 countries opting to showcase their products and services at Intersec, the region’s premier international showcase for the safety, security and fire protection industries, this robust response underlines the growing importance of the Middle East region in the international marketplace.

Spread out across nine halls, Intersec 2014 got underway with a well-attended opening ceremony presided over by chief guest Shaikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Shaikh Mansour later toured the exhibition extensively and was accompanied by senior representatives from the government, with a particularly strong representation from Dubai Police, Dubai Police Academy and UAE Civil Defence, along with organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

During the opening ceremony, Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, said: “The Middle East region continues to be one of the most exciting markets for the safety, security and fire protection industries as can be seen from the growth of Intersec. The region has always been receptive to new ideas and technologies and the success of exhibitors who use Intersec as a launch pad for product launches is testament to the fact.”

“The current edition of Intersec has not only a wider range of products, services and new technologies on show than ever before, but also comprises of a comprehensive conference programme that adds immensely to the benefits Intersec seeks to provide the regional community,” he added.

Encompassing four key focus areas: Commercial Security & Information Security; Safety & Health; Fire & Rescue and Homeland Security & Policing, Intersec 2014 is attracting a wide-representation of trade visitors from the safety, security and fire protection industries from across the greater Middle East region.

Some of the hot topics expected to cause waves at the exhibition include: the integration of surveillance, access control and all other security systems into one; PSIM (Physical Security Information Management); Continuous migration from Analog to IP (CCTV, data storage etc); and the launch of a new remote alarm system for homes by Dubai Civil Defence.

The exhibition has attracted participation from a large number of local and regional companies and record representation from country pavilions and industry associations. A slew of product launches are scheduled over the event’s three days as exhibitors compete for the attention of the wide spread of trade visitors and buyers from the region and beyond.

Taking place on Monday as part of the series of conferences running alongside Intersec is the Safety Design in Buildings Conference. Held under the patronage of the directorate general of Civil Defence – Dubai, the conference will be opened by Lt Col Jamal Ahmed Ibrahim, director of Preventive Safety Department, Dubai Civil Defence. - abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com