Leading experts to focus on critical issues at inaugural event

Organised by International Business Events (IBE) - a leading provider of business-to-business events worldwide - the conference will see world renowned security experts examine critical industry issues including identifying and overcoming the new threats to international security; achieving world class port and ship security; coordinating security between airports and ports in the Gulf; staff vetting and training; passenger and baggage processing and screening and the changing role of law enforcement agencies in policing the region's ports.

The conference will also highlight the lessons learned from terrorist actions and countering threats and how best to identify threats to airport and airline security in the Middle East and the technology investment needed to tackle them effectively.

Among the speakers will be Dr Abdulla Al Hashimi, Senior Vice President, Emirates Group Security, who will address Security Management Issues in the Middle East, and Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation, who will deliver the keynote address to the Aviation Security Stream on Aviation Security in the Middle East.

Other speakers will include Niki Tompkinson, Head of Transport Security, Department for Transport, UK; Howard Eng, Airport Management Director, Airport Authority Hong Kong; Dato Basheer Hassan Abdul Kader, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Northport, Malaysia; Denis Marie, General Manager, SATS (Singapore Airport Terminal Services) Security and Hameed Ali, Vice President Operations, Gulf Air.

"At the heart of APTS Middle East are the high-level aviation and maritime conferences addressing the key issues facing transport terminals in the region, said David Wood, Managing Director, IBE. "The information packed conferences will analyse the threats to transport security and safety, with a focus on policy, innovation and best practice in countering the threats worldwide."

Running alongside the conference, the event's exhibition will provide companies at the forefront of security technology with a unique opportunity to showcase the latest product and service solutions, including screening and detection equipment, CCTV and other surveillance systems, new and emerging technologies, personnel identification and verification and access control devices and baggage handling systems.

Amongst those that have already confirmed as participants are Rapiscan Secuity Products, Thales Security Systems, Rae Systems, L3 Security and Detection Systems and AIGI Engineering Solutions.

"Dubai is the most significant crossroads in the region for air and port passenger and cargo traffic," said Woods. "Forecasts put passenger throughput for Dubai International Airport at around 30 million people a year by 2010, alongside record growth in container throughput. Other airports and seaports in the region, including those in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait are also experiencing double digit growth.

"This strong performance will have a significant impact on the region's ability to combine efficiency with the ever increasing need to enhance security. APTS Middle East will act as a knowledge resource for security and law enforcement professionals which will impact for years to come."

Two one day workshops will be held during APTS Middle East. The first, led by Transguard Education Academy, will focus on Security Risk Management. The second workshop will examine the Practicalities of Policing Airports and Ports. It will be led by John Bodinnar, Director Middle East, Global Village Strategies and Etisalat Academy.

The main supporters of APTS Middle East, that will take place from March 14 until March 15, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, are the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai Ports Authority.

Other supporters include the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO); Dubai Ports Authority, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai; Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA); UK Trade and Investment; Royal Aeronautical Society, UK; British Airports Group and Ports and Terminals Group, UK.