The Middle East and Asia will have a major share in the global biometrics market, which is projected to touch over Dh27 billion ($7.35 billion) by 2012, a report said.

The use of biometric security systems by companies and governments is going up, especially in the region, said a report by Epoc Messe Frankfurt.

The mideast biometrics market was valued at Dh1.84 billion ($500 million) in 2007, according to published reports quoted in the Gulf News.

The UAE government earlier spent about $55 million on the latest biometrics technology for itsNational ID system. The project is expected to generate about Dh120 million from 1.2 million residents.

The global biometrics industry generated Dh11 billion in revenues in 2007, which is expected to go up to Dh27.19 billion in the next three years.