Business | General
Security infrastructure to expand in coming years
The immense economic and social development in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East will drive the market for security infrastructure to grow significantly in the coming years, industry sources said.
- By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:21 May 20, 2008
Dubai: The immense economic and social development in Dubai and the rest of the Middle East will drive the market for security infrastructure to grow significantly in the coming years, industry sources said.
Private and public sector representatives gathered in Dubai on Monday for the Development and Infrastructure Security Conference, to explore ways to protect vital infrastructures against the risk of criminality and terrorism.
Ridha Bellamine, regional sales manager of Thales Security Systems, France, estimated that with the ongoing mammoth projects undertaken in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Saudi Arabia, the security market in the Middle East could be worth around 800 million euros and could likely hit 1 billion euros in a couple of years.
"That's just an estimate. I would say 80 per cent of the figure is mainly for the new developments. We don't include Dubailand, for example. But the potential is very huge," Bellamine, one of the conference speakers, told Gulf News.
Conference director Kelly Grant said regional development in the region requires "a larger need for security infrastructure."
Sensitive element
"The hospitality industry, and tourism in particular, is a sensitive element within a growing economy - a safe, tourist-attracting region reinforces faith and stimulates increased investment for local and international investors," Grant said.
However, Jim Evans, director of project management for Armour Group, cautioned developers against proceeding with infrastructure projects without involving security professionals at the planning stage.
He said construction projects that don't consider security early on can prove to be financially disastrous, as making changes later to incorporate security systems can disrupt work schedule and entail more funds.
"This has not yet become an absolutely standard practice. There are still buildings that come along, developments that come along that don't consider security in the planning stage," Evans, who spent 34 years in the British Army, told Gulf News.
"But if you do the right things with your architect or you get security involved early, you will save money at the end by not having to fit out again or revamp things," Evans added.
Brigadier Dr Mohammad Ahmad Bin Fahad, Dubai Police Academy director, who kicked off yesterday's discussion, highlighted the need for increased security in the wake of immense economic and social development in the region.
Share this article
More from Business General
More from Business
Popular in Business
-
XPRESS
Way to go this DSF
A fun-filled route to guide you to all the happening dos in town
Business Editor's choice
-
Hamdan opens interior design expo
Index 2009 will feature 1,000 exhibitors from 47 nations
-
Travel insurance offers peace of mind
The wisest thing to do is to take out travel insurance before you leave.
-
Cost of living likely to stay subdued
Ministry of Economy figures show sharp increases for some imported items
