RIYADH, 19 March 2006 — The United States is all set to win more Saudi markets of safety and security products, said Lisa C. Huot, leader of an American safety and security trade mission, currently visiting the Kingdom. Lisa said that Saudi Arabia had emerged as a dynamic market where individuals, corporate houses and government agencies were becoming more and more sophisticated about using security devices.
“There is also a need to step up security in the region,” said the US official, adding that “the need for security in the Middle East had never been so great as it is today.” “Not only in Saudi Arabia, rather there is a global perception that the risk of terror threats is increasing globally and this applies to this region also,” she said. “But, what is more important in the case of the Kingdom is the value of oil and natural resources, which demands better security arrangements,” she said.
She said that this American official delegation sponsored by the US Department of Commerce was currently visiting the Kingdom for the first time in eight years. “The US safety and security products, featured by 11 visiting companies, are very competitive and they are far better, competitive and sophisticated in terms of technology,” said Huot, who works for the US Department of Commerce.
“This security mission follows the visit of US commerce secretary to Riyadh last month,” said Nancy K. Charles-Parker, commercial counselor at the US Embassy. She said that the Saudi trade with the US had increased by 30 percent over the last year. “Since, US exports are known for quality and excellent technology, knowledgeable Saudi clients prefer American goods and technology where applicable,” said Nancy, who is completing six years promoting US-Saudi business cooperation.
The US trade mission includes companies like Brooks Equipment Company and Vehicle Inspection Technologies (ViT). “A premier company Brooks is a leader in fire and safety industries and is offering some 6,100 products to Saudi partners,” said Cesar Covarrubias, Brooks’ international sales manager. ViT, on the other hand, is a renowned name in manufacturing under-vehicle-surveillance-system to detect explosives, drugs or weapons; said Bill Peterson, ViT president.
Other companies included in this mission are Comtech Mobile Datacom, Field Forensics, Iridian Technologies Inc., L-3 Communications Corporation, Mushriqui Consulting, North Grumman Mission Systems, Paratus Ltd., Rapiscan Systems Inc. and SafeView Inc. These companies are featuring a number of security products and services like wireless communication, detection instruments, national ID technology etc.
