Global homeland security spending expected to triple to Dhs653bn by 2015

The spending is expected to triple to Dhs653bn ($178bn) by 2015, according to industry estimates.

"International expenditure on homeland security is expected to receive a major boost in light of recent terrorist activity," said Angela Schierholz, Senior Show Manager at Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizer of Intersec trade fair and conference which will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from January 18 to 20, 2008.

The scope of security-related spending has expanded to include more sophisticated information technology and the protection of other vulnerable terrorist targets. Spending for anti-terrorism goods and services is expected to keep growing.

"Homeland security is among the fastest-growing industries today and initially the focus was on airport security but the industry has expanded to include counter-terrorism, emergency management, disaster preparedness, critical infrastructure protection, and increasing the public's overall level of situational awareness and readiness,"

remarks Ms Schierholz.

The homeland security industry now includes chemical, biological and radiological detection, as well as border, rail, seaport, industrial and nuclear plant security. Other vendors include computer and human resources experts, boat makers for the Coast Guard, information and integrated technology companies, and myriad consultants.

The recent Mumbai terror attacks are likely to see a huge jump in homeland security spending in India, which will be of the order of Dhs36bn ($9.7bn) in the Indian market by 2016.

In the Middle East context, Intersec trade fair and conference has played a major role in shaping homeland security industry by providing security-related goods and services companies with a platform to reach out to key decision makers from the region.

Over the years, Intersec trade fair and conference has grown in stature. In 2009 the event will be spread across an area of 500,000 sq feet, with expected footage of 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, on topics for the subject "fighting terrorism and serious organized crime".