Terror Fear to Step-up Middle East Spend on Security Systems

According to an industry expert, the increasing fear of terror strikes is compelling public as well as private sector in the Middle East to enhance their outlay on security systems and related technologies. The ConstructionWeekOnline reported most countries in the Gulf were set to spend around Dhs7.71bn ($2.1bn) on security-related equipment and services with the surge expected to increase by 50 percent until 2013.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organisers of Intersec, the region’s foremost networking and trade platform for safety and protection said “The economy of fighting terror threats is one of the fastest growing in the world today, with average spending globally estimated to be around AED 6.16 trillion annually.” A recent study by the Homeland Security Research Corporation indicated that spending on homeland security in the UAE alone was expected to double from Dhs20.2bn ($5.5bn) to Dhs36.7bn ($10bn) over the next ten years,” cited Pauwels.

According to another study, increase in new airport construction across the Middle East would boost and modernise airport security in the region with an increase in spend at about Dhs212m ($57.7m) by 2015. The study has estimated the region accounted for 14.4 percent of the global critical infrastructure protection market.

“Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International airport currently under way at Jebel Ali, and already open for cargo flights, will eventually be the world’s largest passenger terminal. On completion the airport will be five times larger than the current Dubai International Airport and will handle 120mn passengers annually. This will drive demand for the latest in fool-proof security systems, perimeter security and surveillance gadgets,” Pauwels added.

Likewise IMS research in their report entitled - “Middle East Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance - 2010 edition” says the Middle East market for video surveillance equipment will grow by over 10 percent in 2010. Globally, the security industry should be seen as the major beneficiary of terrorism of late.

By Jose Roy