Middle East and Asia to take lion's share in biometrics market

Dubai: In the next few years, the Middle East and Asia will account for the largest share in the biometrics market, which is expected to reach more than Dh27 billion globally by 2012.

According to Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the global market for biometric products and services is teeming with opportunities, trends and growth drivers, as more governments and private firms implement management programs, criminal and employee IDs, as well as surveillance initiatives.

In the Middle East, companies and governments are increasingly using biometric security systems to verify the identity of individuals at corporate and government sites, as well as at border points and airports. The regional biometrics market was estimated to be worth almost $500 million (Dh1.84 billion) in 2007, according to published reports.

Only recently, the UAE government spent about $55 million on cutting-edge biometrics technology to implement the National ID system, which in turn will generate some revenues.

Thamer Rashad Al Qasimi, planning director of the Emirates Identity Authority, earlier told Gulf News that the National ID project would generate some Dh120 million from 1.2 million residents.

Showcasing products

Epoc Messe Frankfurt said the global biometrics industry earned Dh11 billion in revenues in 2007. Worldwide revenues are expected to hit Dh27.19 billion in three years.

The company is organising the Intersec trade fair and conference, scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from January 18 to 20 where as many as 30 companies will be showcasing products related to the biometrics field.

"We are positive that the 30 companies exhibiting at Intersec will have the opportunity to network with patrons, strategic planners, systems integrators, equipment developers, and companies and professionals looking to explore the current and future landscape of the biometrics industry," said Angela Schierholz, senior show manager of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. The Intersec trade fair will feature biometric technologies such as fingerprint scan, face recognition, automated fingerprint identification systems, iris recognition, middleware or biometric identity management software, vein recognition, multiple-biometric, hand geometry and voice recognition.

"The biometric segment of our show will have widespread appeal to those involved in law enforcement, military, municipalities, federal government, financial services, hospitality, health care, high-tech and telecom, industrial manufacturing, retail as well as transportation," said Schierholz.

Over the years, the Intersec trade fair and conference has grown in stature. Intersec in 2009 will be spread across an area of 500,000 square feet, and expects over 20,000 visitors.

Alongside the growth of the trade fair, the conference too is gaining in prominence.

The Intersec International Conference in 2009 will feature presentations by more than 60 high-profile speakers who will talk about fighting terrorism and serious organised crime.

The commercial security stream of the conference will feature pivotal topics, such as convergence of IP and physical security, analytics of video IP, security and biometrics based on eyeball reflexes, intelligent video surveillance, and much more.

The Intersec trade fair and conference enjoys the support of numerous national and international trade and government organisations namely Dubai Police, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Build Safe Dubai.