U.S. Safety & Security Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia & Kuwait

AICC Business, Event

November 12-18, 2016

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia & Kuwait.

The purpose of this mission is to assist U.S. companies in launching or increasing exports of U.S. safety and security goods or services to Saudi & Kuwait. Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products and services to the region. The mission will include customized one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners; meetings with industry leaders, market briefings, and networking events.

Commercial Setting

Kuwait: 

The Government of Kuwait has a stated plan to invest considerable sums in safety and security equipment through 2020. Kuwait defense and security forces will be looking to purchase surveillance equipment, perimeter security and control systems, security check point equipment (fences, crash barriers, cameras, access points), and contraband detection systems, including scanning systems, and consulting services in security planning.

In particular, several projects currently under consideration by the Government of Kuwait, particularly under the Ministry of Interior, include camera surveillance systems to be installed in and near most transportation infrastructure points, geospatial intelligence connectivity, maritime netting, and sensors to minimize security threats to vessels, facilities security of oil refineries and power plants, production facilities and loading platforms, including ports, and the hardware and software infrastructure needed to support a fully integrated C4ISR (C41 Surveillance and Reconnaissance) Systems.

Kuwait plans to spend a total of US$ 28.2 billion on projects in the transportation sector, including aviation, airport, rail, roads, building and terminals. The expansion of Kuwait International Airport is a significant infrastructure development. The planned $6 billion project includes a new terminal building and expanding the two existing terminals. Kuwait is aiming to double the airport capacity to 20 million passengers by 2025. Other major projects are the construction of the country’s fourth refinery and the expansion of the existing refineries valued at approximately $30 billion. All of these projects require state-of-the-art safety and security solutions.

Saudi Arabia: 

The security market in Saudi Arabia continues to develop rapidly. Threats from both internal and external sources pose major challenges to existing and upcoming infrastructure. Sectors that are vital to the economy all require constant surveillance and security systems to allow continued and undisturbed output. The government’s privatization plans have triggered considerable security upgrades within the electricity, telecommunications, air-travel, water, oil and gas, railways and petrochemical sectors.

Saudi Arabia is forecasted to procure $14 billion worth of security systems and services over the next 3 years. For example, the transport sector alone security expenditure is forecast to reach $76.2 million by 2016. Since 2011, the Saudis hiked their 2011 Homeland Security & Public Safety procurement budget by 46% and never looked back since. During 2016-2018, Saudi Arabia intends to procure as much as $14B of Homeland Security (HLS) & Public Safety related products and services making them the highest per capita HLS & Public Safety spenders in the world.

The Saudi Homeland Security & Public Safety market is a unique case, since the global financial crisis does not impact the economy of Saudi Arabia. The regime has at its disposal nearly $500B of petrodollars and will spend “whatever it takes” to secure the country’s stability and defeat any internal or external regime threats. The growing need coupled with nearly unlimited resources creates a highly profitable business environment for state-of-the-art technology and service providers. Saudi Arabia imports defense and security equipment mainly from the US, Russia, France, and the UK.

Trade Mission Features

  • Business and market briefings;
  • One-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners
  • Site visits
  • Networking receptions and events with business leaders and government representatives
  • Media exposure

Target U.S. Products and Services
Surveillance equipment

  • Perimeter security and control systems
  • Security check point equipment (fences, crash barriers, cameras, access points)
  • Contraband detection systems, including scanning systems
  • Consulting services in security planning

Fees and Expenses

$2,900 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (less than 500 employees)
$3,300 for a large firm
$750 for each additional firm participant

Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant

To Apply

Applications received after September1, 2016 will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contact Information

Tatyana Aguirre
International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service – Irvine, CA
Tatyana.Aguirre@trade.gov

Doug Wallace
Commercial Counselor
U.S. Embassy – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Doug.Wallace@trade.gov

Saluhuddin Tauhidi
Country Manager, Office of Mideast & Africa
U.S. Commercial Service – Washington, D.C.
Salahuddin.Tauhidi@trade.gov