Intersec, the world's leading international trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, is making its debut in Saudi Arabia, offering global suppliers direct access to the Kingdom's vast market where security spending continues to rise. Organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE Group), the inaugural edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place on May 2-4, 2017 at the Jeddah Center for Forum and Events. It's the latest of 12 Messe Frankfurt-organized trade fairs and events dedicated to the worldwide safety and security sector, and the second in the Middle East after the Group's flagship show – Intersec in Dubai. The three-day event will feature more than 125 exhibitors from 20 countries, and targets buyers from a Saudi market where, according to US consultancy Homeland Security Research, spending on security-related products is estimated to reach $15.4 billion by 2018. The industry response has been impressive so far. 18 Launch Partners have already confirmed their participation at the annual showcase, including Axis Communications, Bristol Fire Engineering – Corodex, CP Plus, Dahua Technology, dorma + kaba, Draeger, Genetec, Harco Group, HID Global, Hikvision, Milestone, NAFFCO, Nedap, Nitin Group of companies, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Promise Technology, Smiths Detection, and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA). Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: "Saudi is a fast-growing security market, as it steps up measures to ensure border safety and protect critical petrochemical and commercial infrastructure." The number of Saudi trade visitors to Intersec in Dubai has increased by 53 percent from 2012 to 2016. We're delighted to bring Intersec Saudi Arabia directly to the doorsteps of key stakeholders, where international players can increase their market share, and Saudi visitors can keep up-to-date with the latest global technologies and services. Pauwels added: "With a population of almost four million, the port city of Jeddah is the Kingdom's commercial hub, and is a barometer of economic and tourism growth. Its rich trade hub status that dates back thousands of years makes it the ideal location for Intersec Saudi Arabia." Muwaffak Al-Harith, the Chairman of ACE Group, added: "We are excited for Al-Harithy Exhibitions Company to jointly organise with Messe Frankfurt Middle East the largest security exhibition – Intersec – in Saudi Arabia in 2017. "Importantly as the allocations in the annual Saudi budget for security, municipal and health services and infrastructure and transportation are on the increase in addition to private construction which all need the latest security products and services," he added. Nedap, one of the world's top 20 commercial security solutions providers, is among the Launch Partners eager to make an impact at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2017. Joost van der Willik, Managing Director of Nedap Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia has proven solid grounds for Nedap technology for more than a decade now. Banks, hospitals, industrial sites and many others benefit from our solutions related to access control, vehicle and people identification on a daily basis. "We're excited to see Messe Frankfurt Middle East expand its activities across the region by launching Intersec Saudi Arabia. We expect this platform to allow us to further enhance and strengthen our relations with new and existing security professionals." Axis Communications, the Middle East's number one network video surveillance provider, and a driving force behind the shift from analogue to digital video surveillance, is another headline Launch Partner at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2017. Marwan Khoury, marketing manager for the Middle East and Africa at Axis Communications, said: "Intersec Saudi Arabia 2017 is a long-awaited and welcome addition to our events calendar. We are confident that a world-class event will be delivered to address the growing needs of one of the key markets for the industry in the region. Draeger, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, will be among the top Launch Partners specializing in fire protection and safety. Emad El Lahham, the Head of Marketing at Draeger Arabia, said: "Draeger Arabia is happy to be a Launch Partner for the first edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia. "This is the right platform to showcase our fire services solutions with a portfolio covering all aspects considering pre-incident, incident and post-incident solutions. We are looking forward to meet our target audience directly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Intersec Saudi Arabia is the third event launched in the Kingdom recently by Messe Frankfurt Middle East after Automechanika Jeddah and Materials Handling Saudi Arabia, as the Dubai-based subsidiary continues to give shape to its plans for strategic regional expansion. It will present a comprehensive overview of the entire safety, security and fire protection industries through six product sections of Commercial Security, Information Security, Perimeter & Physical Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue and Safety & Health.
