RIYADH,13 March 2008 — A delegation of British security companies organized by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) will visit Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on March 14-21 to further increase trade between Britain and the two GCC countries, according to Mohammed Farooq, trade and investment officer at the British Embassy.
“The security sector in Saudi Arabia is very buoyant and many British companies are enjoying success and expanding their business relationship in the market. This visit would be an excellent opportunity for UK and Saudi companies to strengthen their relationship further by forging new business links,” Farooq told Arab News.
The BSIA is the professional trade association for the security industry in the United Kingdom. It represents over 570 companies, and its members are responsible for more than 70 per cent of security business in Britain..
This will be the second visit to Saudi Arabia by the BSIA, whose member-firms have extensive experience and knowledge across a range of security products from CCTV to access control, perimeter detection and data tracking systems.
In an email, Chris Pinder, BSIA export manager, said, “This outward mission provides the UK security industry with a unique opportunity to develop relationships with Saudi Arabia that will benefit both parties. The Saudi market is extremely buoyant and British security companies have the knowledge and expertise to provide quality products to fulfill the needs of that market.”
Last year’s outward mission to the region, Pinder said, was extremely successful for all who joined the last mission.
John Davies, TDSI managing director, said, “The group of companies on the mission last year complemented each other very well and we were able to provide a strong integrated security systems message to the companies we visited.”
Adam Daniel of Lismore Instruments added, “Last year’s event was the most rewarding trade mission we have ever participated in, we were overwhelmed by the response.”
Duncan Gerrard of APD Communications commented, “We were delighted about the feedback to our visit last year indeed. That’s why we’re happy to join the forthcoming visit again.”
The British firms to be included in the delegation include APD Communications Ltd, Bold Communications Ltd, International Perimeter Systems Ltd., Lismore Instruments Ltd., Takex Ltd, Time & Data Systems International Ltd, Vicon Industries Ltd and Videcon PLC.