Dubai. Intersec 2018 was opened on Sunday the 21st January 2018 by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Taking place until 23rd January, the fair features 1,337 exhibitors from 59 countries, covering 60,000sqm of space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, a five percent increase over the previous year.
More than 5,000 brands are on show across seven focus areas of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Information & Cyber Security, Perimeter & Physical Security, and Smart Home and Building Automation.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, who was accompanied by senior government officials, organisers, and representatives from the regional security industry, said at the opening ceremony: “Safety and security has increasingly grown in importance for all of us today and over the last 20 years, Intersec has grown into the most important trade show for safety and security globally.
“Intersec has played a significant contributory role in enhancing the safety and security of our society by bringing the latest innovations and developments within reach of Middle East buyers and establishments. The show’s success underlines the importance of Dubai’s role in driving change, innovation and development across the region.”
Fire & Rescue recorded the largest year-on-year exhibitor growth at Intersec 2018, with 448 companies on board this year, a 24 percent increase over 2017. Information & Cyber Security too continues its upward growth trajectory, and this year features 52 exhibitors dedicated to combating cyber threats, espionage, and online criminals.
With 453 exhibitors, Commercial Security remains the largest individual section, while Perimeter & Physical Security (90 exhibitors), Safety & Health (173 exhibitors), Homeland Security & Policing (91 exhibitors), and Smart Home & Building Automation (30 exhibitors) were also widely represented.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Intersec’s organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Spearheaded by the UAE, the Middle East has undergone rapid economic transformation, and with it, the need to keep critical infrastructure, assets and people safe and secure.
“That rapid transformation is reflected in the market itself, and when Intersec made its debut in 1999, when it featured just 61 exhibitors, the Middle East homeland and commercial security market combined was worth just US$52 million.
“Since then, the market has grown at a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 33 percent, and is currently worth US$12.2 billion. That growth too is underlined by the business success of many Intersec exhibitors – 13 of which participated at the first Intersec in 1999, and returning in 2018. Many others have been with the show for more than 10 years, and during that time, have watched their business volumes grow in double digits,” added Pauwels.
Spearheading the show highlights on the opening day at Intersec 2018 was the new Indoor Drone Zone, where the show’s Government Partners the Dubai Police and Dubai Civil Defence were among those delivering live demonstrations of their latest drones in action.
by the Editorial Staff
