Middle East mass transport security market, which earned revenues of $7.6 million in 2009, is estimated to reach $76.2 million in 2016, said a report.

A recently released analysis from growth partnership company Frost & Sullivan, which covered access control, surveillance and explosive detection markets, said the mass transport security market in the region has considerable growth potential, as most of the projects are planned for completion before 2018.

The mass transport security market has gained importance in recent years due to the growth in infrastructure, the report added.

A rising expatriate population coupled with increasingly congested roads is giving way to new forms of transportation systems in Middle East. Investment into transportation infrastructures is at present considered a status symbol in Middle East, according to the report.

“Rail infrastructures worth $100 billion are either planned or being constructed in the Middle East,” said Sasidharan Chandran, Frost & Sullivan research analyst.

“The initiation of the Gulf common rail project is expected to boost cooperation amongst the Gulf countries.”

However, the restraints for the Middle East mass transport security market include reluctance to spend on security systems and a lengthy sales cycle, the report pointed out.

With an expanding competitor base, the profit margins of companies are likely to experience marginal growth.

“Acceptance level among the passengers and fewer regulatory procedures for mass transport security are major challenges faced by the companies,” said Chandran.

The Middle East mass transport security market participants should provide ‘specific solutions’ because of the open and fragmented environment prevailing in design structures of mass transports unlike other forms of transportation.

Therefore, open architectures and presence of multiple entry and exit points for passengers are making the security manufacturers design unique solutions for mass transports, said the report.

“Security companies should diversify their product offerings to garner greater market share,” said Chandran.

“Since the Middle East security market is highly fragmented, business collaborations with system integrators and tier 2 companies are highly recommended,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service