For the first time ever, the UK mount country pavilion at security exhibition (APTS-ME)

'We supported APTS 2005 and benefited hugely from it. We have increased our involvement and our aim is to network with key companies from the Middle East's transport and security industry.' said pavilion organiser Jason Castellino from the Ports and Terminals Group, UK Trade & Investment, a government organisation supporting British companies doing business internationally.

Leading British Security companies will display state of the art devices, cutting edge technologies and the latest training systems at the exhibition. These include Hansard Security Services, Sensor Electronics Ltd, Free Track Marine, Secure Risks, Expamet, ACR Gulf, Wavelet, E-Surveillance, Detector Technologies, Sigma group and International Risk Control.

Mr Rashid Khawaja, Trade and Investment Officer, from the British Embassy in Dubai said that the massive growth in tourism and construction in the UAE puts major challenges to ensure safety and security. Dubai, in particular, is investing heavily in projects such as the Dubai International Airport which has an ambitious US$ 4.5 billion programme that will reinforce its status as one of the world's leading aviation hubs and increase airport capacity to more than 30 million passengers by 2020.

Mr Khawaja added that Dubai is now the UK's 10th largest export market globally, up from 17th place in 2004. UK exports to Dubai rose 134% in 2005 reaching a total value of 30.9 billion Dirhams (£4.76 billion). Two-way trade between the UAE and UK increased significantly last year to 45.4 billion Dirhams (£6.99 billion) from 24.7 billion Dirhams in 2004 (£3.8 billion).