SAN ANTONIO -- MDI, Inc., the leading provider of Unified Technology solutions for the security industry, today announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Doha, Qatar based Almana Networks. The agreement establishes a joint venture between the two parties focused on providing unified physical and electronic security solutions, along with converged network infrastructures, to existing organizations and new construction projects in the rapidly growing country of Qatar.
The Almana Group is one of the largest business organizations in the country and is a significant contributor to its continued economic development and financial infrastructure. Its subsidiary business divisions include oil and natural gas, general contracting, steel production, transportation, retail, restaurants, information technology, financial services, real estate, engineering, HVAC systems, automobiles and marine services.
The new venture is currently finalizing negotiations on several security projects in Qatar, two of which it believes it will be awarded during the month of May. These multi-million dollar comprehensive projects include over one million dollars in products and services from MDI when finalized. They include securing new construction developments for a global leader in the petroleum and natural gas industry and securing regional holdings for one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world.
"Almana Networks and MDI are both proven leaders in their respective countries," stated Swaraj Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of Almana Networks. "MDI's technology offerings and security expertise will play a critical role in the growth strategy for Almana Networks and I look forward to working with the MDI Team on this new venture to provide state-of-the-art automated security solutions via converged networks to our valued customers in Qatar," he added.
Among the wealthiest countries in the world, Qatar is experiencing phenomenal growth in both oil and non-oil related business sectors. Amid the current economic boom, commercial and industrial construction is at an all time high. In the city of Doha alone, there are currently over 50 hi-rise building sites under construction. The country is well on its way to becoming the world's top petrochemicals producer and is diversifying into many new industries including steel, concrete and aluminum production.
High economic and demographic growth and the changing international security environment have made Qatar more security-conscious. There has been a noticeable increase in the need for security products and services for both private and government establishments, thus the demand for best-in-class security solutions is at an all time high. Both are upgrading the capabilities of existing security systems as well as adding security to new projects in order to keep ahead of changing global security situations. Consumers across the Gulf States Region hold the security sector expertise of the United States in high regard.
The Joint Venture between MDI and Almana Networks was designed to provide customized solutions to the direct needs of Qatar. Together, the strength of the venture combines the following unique points:
- A deep understanding of the political and economic structure of Qatar and the Gulf States Region
- A global business network built on over forty years of business to business commerce across multiple market verticals
- The existence of immediate multi-year, multi-million dollar business opportunities in Qatar
- A broad portfolio of information technology and business process services including computer networks, technology infrastructures, databases and software development
- Expertise in Internet security, information assurance and computer network security via partnership with SureSEC, Ltd.
- Over 25 years of experience in securing classified, high-security facilities as the solution of choice for the United States Government
- Unification of the command & control process within a global security enterprise including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, biometrics, detection sensors and third party security point products
- A professional services organization with complete program management capabilities and the security industry expertise necessary to successfully deploy complex security strategies worldwide.
"As announced last year, MDI has been focusing on several opportunities in the Middle East with its new Global Systems Solutions subsidiary," stated J. Collier Sparks, President and CEO of MDI, Inc. "This joint venture is one result of that focus. By partnering with one of the most successful and respected business organizations in Qatar, MDI is now positioned to capitalize on a multi-billion dollar market that many will strive for but few will succeed in due to the vast barriers to entry. This is a tremendous milestone for the company and its stakeholders and I am proud that MDI has been selected as Almana's exclusive physical solution provider in the region," he concluded.
The Almana Group is one of the largest business organizations in Qatar. Since its inception in 1960, it has grown in strength and size and in the process has made significant contributions to the very infrastructure of Qatar. Today, with over 1500 employees, the group boasts a large and diversified portfolio and is poised to participate successfully in the ongoing economic growth and development of the country. Through re-investment of profits, recruitment of the highest skilled managers and the creation of joint ventures with major international companies, the group is able to provide professional services to overseas companies with interests in building their business in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf States. For more information about The Almana Group, please visit www.almanagroup.com.
SureSEC Ltd. is a global leader in providing Internet security solutions, information security research and professional consulting. The company's security experts have pioneered the field of security and vulnerability research and work closely with many of the world's leading software companies and service providers to discover critical vulnerabilities in their products and provide risk mitigation strategies. SureSEC also consults with numerous open source software companies and well-known Linux providers to deliver source code auditing and technical expertise that is un-matched in the industry. The SureSEC security research team is located across Europe, the United States and the Middle East. For more information on the company and its capabilities, please visit www.suresec.org.
MDI manufactures security technology solutions designed to protect people, facilities and assets. These solutions are unified by ONE Technology. ONE Technology unifies security point products, systems and subsystems into a common management platform. Far beyond the Integrated Security Management software promoted by industry competitors, ONE delivers an open architecture environment that adapts each individual application and device into its platform -- promoting global collaboration as ONE system. The MDI product family currently protects over 8 million alarm points across the globe for many of the world's most recognized organizations including Microsoft, MBNA Worldwide, John Deere, Pepsi, FBI, TSA, Fidelity Investments, Bureau of Engraving & Printing, American Express, Department of Defense, IRS, Disney, Smithsonian Institution and MIT to name a few. The company has received numerous industry awards for their security technology including Frost & Sullivan's Security System Technology Leadership Award and the Security Industry Association's Best Integrated Product Award for 2006. For more information on MDI or its diversified line of products and professional services, please visit www.mdisecure.com.
