The UAE is set to host more than 20,000 attendees from 90 countries and 500 exhibiting companies at 7th International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR), billed to be the world’s largest homeland security event, which opens this week in Abu Dhabi.

The expo, to be held from March 15 to 17, will run under the theme of “Connecting Governments, Society, and Business, Through Innovation, Leadership, and Excellence to Build Safer Communities and Ensure a More Resilient World.”

Breaking its own show records, ISNR 2016 is set to host 500 exhibiting companies from 45 countries across 20,000 sq m of net indoor and outdoor exhibition space at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, said the organisers.

ISNR 2016 will host five exhibitions, more than 60 seminars, 10 live demonstrations, and new product and solution launches, they stated.

On the show, Major General Dr Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, said: “ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016 is one of the main safety and security events both internationally and in the Middle East and North Africa, providing decision-makers from the public and private sectors with the latest concepts and security technologies in the protection of critical national infrastructure, and emergency preparedness and national resilience."

"This event is an important forum for general attendees and specialists to share experiences and knowledge, experience the newest and latest industry findings, and to learn about and experience the latest security equipment and solutions," he stated.

"This global event, hosted by the UAE every two years, has become an important platform to meet the growing global demand for homeland security solutions, to help Middle East governments to protect citizens and critical national infrastructure, and to ensure regional stability," he observed.

“Hosting the world’s largest specialized exhibition in homeland security and national resilience in 2016 in the capital confirms the UAE’s international standing, vision, and strong reputation in organizing international exhibitions,” stated Major General Dr Al Raisi.

A ajor highlight of the opening ceremony will be Aftershock II, an innovative live action scenario of emergency management.

Continuing the momentum on Wednesday (March 16) will be the 6thInternational Conference on Cybercrimes, and the Occupational Safety and Health Middle East Conference, where attendees can network and share best practices with leading global experts.

Demonstrating the strong business opportunity, ISNR 2016 is expected to top its 2014 record of $300 million in business deals.

The 2016 Government Buyers and Business Connect program is hosting over 120 government buyers, and scheduling over 3,000 meetings between public and private sectors, and exhibitors. Supporting local businesses, more than 30 UAE SMEs will be featured in a pavilion.

International exhibitors are led by Airbus, Airwatch, Alvo Medical, Avigilon, Bauer Kompressoren, Bisen Group, Bitdefender, Blue Coat, China North Industries Corp (Norinco), Cyberoam Technologies, Dahua Technology, GET Group, GimaexInternational, Huawei, MacNeillie, Maplin Electronics, Morpho, NEC Group, QinetiQ, Room Dimensions, Rosenbauer Group, Thales, and Winsted.

UAE exhibitors include Al Hamra Group; Arabian Security; Atlas Group; Business Automation and Security Systems (BASS); Concorde-Corodex; Electronic Identity Management and Security Solution (EIMASS), Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC); Etimad Holding; Etisalat; Exclusive Networks Middle East; Eye on Technology; Falcon Eye; Hader Security and Communications (HSC) Systems; the International Golden Group (IGG); Jaheziya.; NAFFCO; Premiers for Equipment;Qartaja Trading Est.; Tawazun Safety, Security, and Disaster Management City; TechWise; and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

"Compared to 2014, ISNR 2016 has seen 150 per cent growth in government buyers to 220 taking part in the ISNR Government Buyers and Business Connect Program, 79 per cent growth in net indoor and outdoor exhibition space to over 20,000 sq m," said Ara Fernezian, the group managing director (Middle East) Reed Exhibitions.

"We have 40 per cent growth in countries to 57, strong 25 per cent growth in exhibitors at more than 530, and 20 per cent growth in sponsors to six," he added.-TradeArabia News Service