Latest in security-boosting products displayed in Qatar
Par Middle East Online, 07 Octobre 2004

Milipol Qatar 2004 exhibits increasingly hi-tech security products to meet needs of Arab states faced with terrorism.

Specialised security firms are offering increasingly sophisticated products to meet the needs of Arab countries obsessed with the threat of terror attacks, with a range of the latest state-of-the-art equipment exhibited here this week.

"We have sold a lot of material to equip the palace of a Saudi prince ... and embassies are also demanding such material," said Yves Monneret, president of the French company Sorhea taking part in Milipol Qatar 2004, an international exhibition of internal state security, law enforcement and defence equipment.

"Infrared barriers are designed essentially for the protection ... of sensitive sites and palaces," said Monneret, vaunting his firm's hi-tech detection barrier.

Assistant Nicolas Jdanoff described it as "an intelligent product which can tell the difference between an animal and a human being, for example."

Exhibitors at the three-day event, which concludes Wednesday, are responding to the expectations of their clients in the region, who are engaged in their own struggle against militancy since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

"The 2004 edition is marked by products of top-level technology, contrary to previous shows where the 'heaviest' products were on display," said Milipol Paris director Gilles Fournier.

"Middle East countries have started to question their internal security. And we propose practical solutions to their security problems," said Regnier de Warenghien, a representative of the French defence electronics firm Thales.

Regional companies are also pushing their products, such as Saudi Arabia's Guardian Industries Company Ltd, which exhibited a range of products to stop oncoming vehicles.

"Our security barriers reduce the rate of terrorist acts which hit residential complexes," said the company's boss, Fuad al-Saleh, referring to a wave of terror attacks in the oil-rich kingdom that have killed more than 90 people since May 2003.

"Our sales have increased 400 percent in recent years," said Saleh, who counts "public organisations and industrial firms" among his clients.

Oil installations, the lifeline of Gulf Arab monarchies and which are potentially vulnerable to attack, were a main focus at the event.

One company said it had developed a way to protect oil pipelines, a favourite target for insurgents in Iraq, by using a so-called "Tunnel Bomb Killer", which consists of a metal cover for pipelines.

"The principle is to avoid the destruction of a pipeline by explosion," said Michel Rigaud of the firm Sema World - Anti-Terrorism Safety Features, which developed the device that can withstand a blast from 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of TNT.

"The show offers the best security systems and equipment" in the world, said Sheikh Nasser bin Fahd al-Thani, president of the organising committee.

Sheikh Nasser said sales worth 20 million dollars were agreed at Milipol fair.

"Already-announced transactions amount to 70 million riyals," (around 20 million dollars) at the exhibition which wound up Wednesday, Sheikh Nasser told journalists, adding that other deals were still being negotiated.

Milipol Qatar 2004 received over 3,500 visitors, Sheikh Nasser said, adding that Milipol 2006 would be held in May instead of October as Qatar is then due to host the Asian Games.

Around 220 exhibitors from 36 countries exhibited at the three-day display of the latest hi-tech security equipment.

The event has been held annually, alternately in Doha and Paris, since its inception in 1996.