The world’s leading security companies are scheduled to display the latest safety and protection technology at the sixth International Conference and Exhibition on Industrial Security (ICEIS) here from Nov. 24 to 26.

The Higher Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS), which falls under the Ministry of Interior, has organized the event. Prince Mohammed bin Naif, minister of interior, is the HCIS president.

The three-day event takes place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center and comes as spending on security in the Gulf is expected to rise from $150 billion in 2010 to $400 billion by 2015.

“This booming geographical region goes from strength to strength, with the commercial and industrial security, fire and safety markets for Saudi Arabia and the GCC currently valued at an estimated €4 billion,” said Khalid bin Saad Al-Aqeel, HCIS’s secretary general.

Al-Aqeel said the exhibition attracts over 4,000 commercial and government professionals. It is a leading event connecting the top security and safety sellers and purchasers in an industrial security market worth over $1.5 billion annually.

Al-Aqeel said the interior minister recognizes the importance of tapping into the experience of global experts and specialists.

“This will be a platform where we will see cutting-edge equipment and the latest security applications that help provide a safe environment for all sectors, especially the oil and industrial sector and various services in the Kingdom,” he said.

Al-Aqeel said that since the 1970s, Saudi Arabia has invested over $1 trillion in the expansion and upgrading of the Kingdom’s infrastructure. Government sources estimate that the Kingdom’s future development will call for further investments of $1.4 trillion through to 2020.

Major firms including Saudi Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Ma’aden and Security Controls will sponsor the high-profile event.

The security products and services on display include access control and biometrics, building management systems, video surveillance, critical infrastructure, emergency lighting and integrated security systems.

There will also be intruder alarms, cyber and IT security, locks and bolts, lone worker protection, perimeter protection, physical security, gates and barriers, physical security information management, smartcards, safes and strong rooms, secure communications and transmissions such as 3G and 4G, security guarding, testing and approval, training, valuables in transit, and video management software.