DUBAI —

The countdown has begun for the 21st edition of the world’s leading security, safety, and fire protection trade show in Dubai, with global suppliers zooming in on a Middle East market that is estimated to more than double in value over the next six years.

More than 1,300 exhibitors from 59 countries, including 18 of the world’s top 20 commercial security providers, are set to participate at Intersec 2019, which takes place from 20-22 January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The annual three-day event, organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, covers the seven sections of Commercial Security; Fire & Rescue; Perimeter & Physical Security; Safety & Health; Homeland Security & Policing; Information Security; and Smart Home & Building Automation.

It will arrive as regional demand for these solutions soars at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent from 2018 to 2024. According to analysts 6WResearch, the Middle East market for commercial and cyber security, fire protection, smart home solutions, and drones, worth a combined $7 billion in 2018, will grow to $16.4 billion in 2024.

Commercial security, comprising video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection, holds the lion’s share of that figure. Valued at US$2.9 billion in 2018, the regional commercial security market will grow to $7.4 billion in 2024 according to 6WResearch, driven by increased infrastructure investments and stringent regulatory policies.

The Middle East fire safety systems and equipment market will also increase by eight percent annually, valuing US$3 billion in 2024, from an estimated $1.9 billion in 2018, while the markets for cyber security (from $1.4 billion in 2018 to $2.7 billion in 2024), smart home ($344 million to $869 million), and drones ($507 million to $2.4 billion), are also in-line for solid double-digit annual growth.

This all sets the scene for three days of busy networking and knowledge-sharing at Intersec 2019, which returns with the key support of long-standing Government partners such as the Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police Academy, Dubai Municipality, and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA).

The increasing global significance of the annual showpiece will also be underlined by a number of new international partners coming on-board, with Intersec’s show director Andreas Rex confirming the Kuwait Fire Protection Association, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), among new official supporters next year.

“The Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA) and the Pakistan Safety Council have also confirmed their support for Intersec 2019, joining more than 35 official international government partners, trade associations, and professional non-profit institutions aimed at advancing the global security, safety, and fire protection landscape,” said Rex.

“Based on square meterage covered, exhibitor numbers and an expected audience of more than 30,000 visitors from 120 countries, we expect Intersec 2019 to be the world’s largest trade fair of its kind, highlighted by 15 country pavilions and an Ontario region Pavilion from Canada that is participating for the first time.”

Rex said plans for a new three-day conference format is also underway, bringing together equipment manufacturers, integrators, consultants and services providers with regulatory agencies and government authorities: “Intersec 2019’s content-led forums will host innovative formats, key debates, strategic and technology discussions featuring a wide range of subjects by regional and international security experts,” added Rex.

“A two-day Future Security Summit will raise key issues on Artificial Intelligence, security Integration, emergency preparedness and response, data protection, IoT and much more. A range of practical workshop sessions are also being organised for security managers to support skills development, professional expertise on security risk intelligence, threat identification, and disaster management.

“The SIRA Forum will also return with the latest updates in security law and industry regulations in Dubai, while a one-day Fire Safety and Protection Conference will involve authorities, fire chiefs, engineers, fire fighters and emergency response professionals.”

Meanwhile, Commercial Security will again be the largest section on the exhibition floor, with more than 450 exhibitors including Swedish manufacturer Axis Communications.

Philippe Kubbinga, Regional Director of Axis Communications in the Middle East and Africa, said the company has stayed at the forefront of the physical security and video surveillance industries by constantly challenging the status quo, investing in its people, and encouraging innovation.

“As we move into another year, we have an ever-increasing demand for smart products, software and solutions,” said Kubbinga. “In the last year, network audio, edge analytics, multi-sensors and privacy of data dominated in demand, conversation and actual application – trends we deem very positive for our industry.

“We’ve continued to add new dimensions in our offerings across Retail, Critical Infrastructure and are also seeing a positive trend in Smart Cities. At Intersec 2019, we look forward to an in-depth conversation with our channel on the future of security and surveillance, and its constantly adapting landscape and application.”

Hikvision, the world’s largest video surveillance provider by sales revenue, is another Intersec 2019 exhibitor looking to the Middle East and North African (MENA) market for future expansion. Binson Xu, Hikvision’s Regional President in the MENA region, said: “The MENA is one of the most important regions for our global market and our sales revenue here has grown 40 per cent annually over the last five years.”

“I have the confidence to say that over the next three years we can still grow at the same speed, as we’re continually investing in new technologies such as cloud, big data, AI, robotics, and smart home automation. In the Middle East, our most successful industry verticals have been transportation and building automation. These are the largest types of projects that require the latest technology,” added Xu.

Fire & Rescue is the next largest section at Intersec 2019, with more than 400 exhibitors expected, followed by Safety & Health (150 exhibitors) Homeland Security & Policing (100 exhibitors); Perimeter and Physical Security (100 exhibitors), and Information Security (50 exhibitors).

Returning popular features in 2019 include the Drone Zone, an Outdoor Demo Area, a Smart Home Pavilion and the Safety Design in Buildings Pavilion. More than 150 exhibitors will be participating for the first time, while Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, and the USA comprise the 15 country pavilions.

Intersec 2019 is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. — SG