The strong demand for digital security is fuelling demand for smart cards whose sales in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) are set to reach $328.8 million by 2014, according to market research by Frost and Sullivan. The telecommunication sector accounts for 64.4 per cent of all smart cards in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) with the market in the region set to reach $328.5 million by 2014, according to market research by Frost and Sullivan.
The telecommunication sector accounts for 64.4 per cent of all smart cards in the Mena area. It is projected that the global smart card market will post double-digit growth (CAGR or compound annual growth rate around 12 per cent) during 2011-2013, with the region growing at a CAGR of 10.8 per cent.
Eurosmart, the international not-for-profit association, based in Brussels, has reported that smart card shipments for telecommunications applications globally will grow to 4.5 billion units in 2011, up from 4 billion in 2010. The smart card sector across the Mena region is also witnessing increased interest from many governments, with national identity cards increasingly becoming mandatory for citizens, immigrants, and the expatriate community.
Following three decades of continued modernisation, Gitex Technology Week, the region’s only exhibition that covers the entire spectrum of the ICT industry, continues to offer new features and segments such as card technology, which reflects on the exhibition’s goal to highlight and bring to the forefront the region’s growing industry trends.
'Smart cards have become a part of our daily lives and the reliance on such technology is growing. As smart card technology continues to evolve and grow at such a rapid pace across the Mena region, exhibitors will appreciate the new platform that Gitex is providing the industry,' commented Trixee Loh, senior vice president, World Trade Centre, organiser of the event.
'Visitors to the new segment will be able to find advice and information about the range of card solutions available and the opportunities the Middle East market offers. Decision makers will appreciate the excellent networking opportunities this industry-leading exhibition provides, and the prospect to generate and close significant sales deals,' Loh said.
One of the companies showcasing their expertise is Cardz Middle East Trading, the company behind the Dubai E-Gate Project.
Demand ’ varied and unique’
'The demand for smart card technology is varied and unique to the business dynamics of the region. Companies need a common platform to show the market what solutions the industry can offer. For regional companies like us, Gitex allows us to showcase our technology to a wider regional and global audience. As a company we have interesting projects that we can highlight to visitors and potential customers that will help us explore more revenue streams,' commented Nitin Shabbir, managing director, Cardz Middle East Trading.
Exhibitors at the new Gitex card technology segment include The Digital Identification Solutions Group, a global leader in providing ID card and high security identification solutions to companies, associations, government authorities, financial institutions, and other enterprises around the world.
'There is an ever increasing demand for highly secure ID credential and personalisation solutions in this region. Digital Identification Solutions Group has been a pioneer in this field and is an active solution provider in the region,' said V Gopalakrishnan, regional director, Digital Identification Solutions, Dubai.