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Jeddah / Emirates Business
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the upward trend for the fire safety systems market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as stringent government regulations fuel demand for the replacement of existing and outdated equipment.
According to consultancy firm 6Wresearch, the GCC’s fire safety systems market was worth US$1.36 billion in 2015, with Saudi Arabia (US$598.4 million), and the UAE (US$394.4 million) comprising 73 per cent of the regional market. The other Gulf States of Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait accounted for US$367.2 million (27 per cent).
6Wresearch said Saudi’s fire safety systems and equipment market is projected to grow six percent annually from 2016 – 2020. By 2022, the market is estimated to be worth US$632.2 million, attributed to a recovery in the construction and real estate verticals.
Other factors driving regional demand for new fire safety systems include government and transportation sectors, residential, retail, and hospitality verticals, while Saudi’s Vision 2030 and the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 in the UAE is also likely to boost further growth.
The latest market updates were told to more than 100 fire, safety and security industry professionals at a three-day Saudi roadshow promoting the upcoming Intersec exhibitions in Dubai and Jeddah.
Intersec, the world’s leading exhibition for security, safety, and fire protection, runs from 22-24 January 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, while Intersec Saudi Arabia will take place from 2-4 May 2017 at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events. In its 19th edition, Intersec 2017 will feature more than 1,300 exhibitors from 54 countries spanning over 55,000sqm of exhibition space, registering a 10 per cent growth over the previous year.
The first edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia meanwhile is expected to host more than 100 exhibitors, including 22 launch partners; Al Alameya Group, Axis Communications, Bristol Fire Engineering – Corodex, the British Security Industry Association, CP Plus, Dahua, dorma + kaba, Draeger, Genetec, Hanwha Techwin, Harco Group, HID Global, Hikvision, Milestone, NAFFCO, Nedap, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Promise Technology, Smiths Detection, Tadween, NITIE, and ZMR.
Fire & Rescue is one of seven show sections at Intersec 2017, and has nearly doubled in size over the last four years. The section, which attracted 350 exhibitors in 2016, is expected to continue its growth trend in 2017, having attracted the likes of Apollo, bsi, Bristol, Chemours, Fike, Hochiki, Grupo Komtes, LPCB, NAFFCO, Oshkosh, Rapidrop, Scott Safety, Securiton, SFFECO, Siemens, UL, and Velox.
“Ongoing investments in the commercial, retail, industrial, hospitality, and the healthcare sectors, combined with upcoming high profile international events, means growth is the buzz word across all sectors in the GCC, and this also applies to the fire safety market,†said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec, and
Intersec Saudi Arabia.
“Improvements in the enforcement of fire codes in the construction sector, and the constant need for fire protection and life safety means the GCC’s fire safety market is estimated to grow annually by 14-16 per cent to reach US$3.15 billion by 2020.
