Intersec 2016, a leading trade fair for the latest global innovations in security, safety, and fire protection, opened today (January 17) in Dubai, UAE featuring  1,290 exhibitors from 55 countries.

Taking place until January 19 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Intersec 2016 was opened today (17 January) by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Spanning 50,000 sq m, the 18th edition of the three-day event is 10 per cent larger than the previous edition, with more than 2,400 brands on show across seven focus areas of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Information  Security, and for the first time in 2016 – Smart Home and Physical & Perimeter Security.

Fire and Rescue recorded the largest year-on-year growth, increasing in size by 27 per cent with 374 exhibitors on board, 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.

“Intersec sets the pace for the ever-evolving safety, security and fire protection needs of the Middle East, which has transformed exponentially over the years,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Intersec’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“The show has grown to become not only the foremost business development and idea exchange platform for the global safety and security industry, but an ideal launchpad for innovative ideas and products.

“The widely-attended forums alongside the exhibition are also vital sounding boards where regional professionals interact with and learn from leading international experts about the latest trends and developments within the industry,” added Pauwels.

At least 100 new products will be launched over the three days at Intersec 2016, including the world’s first and only remote controlled firefighting support machine from Kuwaiti company Tankco at the Fire & Rescue section.
 
Among the exhibitors at the live demonstration area was CP Plus, which launched its EazyCam and Intrusion Alarm Systems. Gaurav Khemka, director of CP Plus, said the Middle East is waking up to the potential of smart home technology and its impact on security.

“The Middle East is one of the very lucrative markets for smart home and building automation technologies,” said Khemka.  “Significant interest is being shown in adopting new security products and solutions that can make homes more cohesive and safer.”

Showcasing everything from video surveillance and access control solutions, to identification systems and intrusion alarms, the best known brands in the industry are eagerly capitalising on a fast-growing Middle East market for physical security equipment, which is estimated to grow 36 per cent in 2016, to be worth $5.2 billion.

With 83 per cent international exhibitors, Intersec 2016 will be the most internationally representative ever, while UAE exhibitor participation is also at an all-time high, growing eight per cent over the previous year, with 217 exhibitors covering 10,400 sq m of exhibition space

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 also features a dedicated series of industry conferences being held in cooperation with the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence; the Occupational Health & Safety Conference will take place on January17-18, while the Middle East Fire Conference and the Critical Infrastructure Security Conference will both take place on January18-19.
 
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 India.– TradeArabia News Service