Dominican Republic - Safety and Security EquipmentD.R.- Safety Equipment
This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Overview
The safety and security industry as a formal and regulated sector in the Dominican Republic had its beginning in the early 1970’s. Today, there are over 250 companies providing security services, including guards, alarms monitoring, protection (body guards), cyber security, among other services.
Unit: (Millions of U.S. Dollars)
Exchange rate: RD$50.30 – US$1
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division
In the last fifteen years, the Dominican Republic has experienced a significant increase in crime. As a result, there has been a growth in the Dominican private security services industry affecting the composition of the sector. Citizens recognized the lack of resources by the National Police to adequately protect property and human lives.
Physical security companies have significantly increased in the last 10 years by 40 percent, also it’s been noteworthy the amount of companies currently selling safety and security equipment, when comparing when previous years when there were not more than a handful.
Dominican society is extremely concerned with its safety and security. New strategies on how to better secure personal property, sensitive areas and installations, as well as personal safety are continuously being developed. There is a significant demand for security training and security management, due to sub-standard training and skills of the several local private security companies. The private sector is the major end-user of safety and security systems, equipment and services.
On May 30, 2014 the Dominican Government launched the 911 Emergency System for the country’s capital Santo Domingo. This system includes electronic surveillance cameras, radios, and other related equipment. Expansion to Santiago, the second largest city in the country, and other northern cities was completed by fall 2017. The Government is currently working on expanding the services to the southern and northern locations of the country.
Leading Sub-Sectors
U.S. market share of the alarm systems and parts market has been approximately 45 percent for the last three years. Industry contacts expressed a preference for U.S. products due to quality and after-sales service.
At the same time, advancement in technology is restructuring the industry approach to security, in particular, the replacement of guard services with electronic surveillance, alarms, and closed-circuit televisions. This is evident in the retail industry where a variety of high tech, cost effective and stealth electronic security devices are being used. Cyber security has become also a very important component of the sector; banking and credit card related security software and training are also best prospects.
There is also a strong demand for identification and access control equipment and services, monitoring and control devices, video monitors, camera warning and signaling devices, personal protection devices, emergency response vehicles and investigative equipment and services; and the associated training needed for the proper use of these systems.
There are over 50 providers of alarm monitoring services country-wide, serving over 80,000 accounts. Around 20 percent of the alarm-monitoring providers operate their own armed guard patrol response; the other 80 percent subcontract those services and/or receive support from local police. The alarm companies are not regulated but overseen by the Dominican Republic Armed Forces’ Private Security Superintendence.
End-user receptivity to U.S. products/services in Dominican Republic is high; however, the Dominican market is extremely price sensitive, and price continues to be the principal factor in selection.
Web Resources
Sheila Diaz de Andujar, Senior Commercial Specialist; sheila.diaz@trade.gov
Sistema Nacional de Atención a Emergencias (911 System): http://www.911.gob.do
Superintendencia de Vigilancia Privada – Ministerio de Defensa de la Republica Dominicana (Private Security Superintendence – DR Defense Ministry)
http://www.ssp.mil.do
Asociacion Dominicana de Empresas de Segurida – ADESINC (Association of Private Security Companies)
https://www.adesinc.org.do
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Overview
The safety and security industry as a formal and regulated sector in the Dominican Republic had its beginning in the early 1970’s. Today, there are over 250 companies providing security services, including guards, alarms monitoring, protection (body guards), cyber security, among other services.
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 (estimated) | |
| Total Market Size | 39.2 | 43.5 | 50.3 |
| Total Local Production | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Total Exports | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Imports | 38 | 42.0 | 48.4 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 14.6 | 24.1 | 29.2 |
Exchange rate: RD$50.30 – US$1
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division
In the last fifteen years, the Dominican Republic has experienced a significant increase in crime. As a result, there has been a growth in the Dominican private security services industry affecting the composition of the sector. Citizens recognized the lack of resources by the National Police to adequately protect property and human lives.
Physical security companies have significantly increased in the last 10 years by 40 percent, also it’s been noteworthy the amount of companies currently selling safety and security equipment, when comparing when previous years when there were not more than a handful.
Dominican society is extremely concerned with its safety and security. New strategies on how to better secure personal property, sensitive areas and installations, as well as personal safety are continuously being developed. There is a significant demand for security training and security management, due to sub-standard training and skills of the several local private security companies. The private sector is the major end-user of safety and security systems, equipment and services.
On May 30, 2014 the Dominican Government launched the 911 Emergency System for the country’s capital Santo Domingo. This system includes electronic surveillance cameras, radios, and other related equipment. Expansion to Santiago, the second largest city in the country, and other northern cities was completed by fall 2017. The Government is currently working on expanding the services to the southern and northern locations of the country.
Leading Sub-Sectors
U.S. market share of the alarm systems and parts market has been approximately 45 percent for the last three years. Industry contacts expressed a preference for U.S. products due to quality and after-sales service.
At the same time, advancement in technology is restructuring the industry approach to security, in particular, the replacement of guard services with electronic surveillance, alarms, and closed-circuit televisions. This is evident in the retail industry where a variety of high tech, cost effective and stealth electronic security devices are being used. Cyber security has become also a very important component of the sector; banking and credit card related security software and training are also best prospects.
There is also a strong demand for identification and access control equipment and services, monitoring and control devices, video monitors, camera warning and signaling devices, personal protection devices, emergency response vehicles and investigative equipment and services; and the associated training needed for the proper use of these systems.
There are over 50 providers of alarm monitoring services country-wide, serving over 80,000 accounts. Around 20 percent of the alarm-monitoring providers operate their own armed guard patrol response; the other 80 percent subcontract those services and/or receive support from local police. The alarm companies are not regulated but overseen by the Dominican Republic Armed Forces’ Private Security Superintendence.
End-user receptivity to U.S. products/services in Dominican Republic is high; however, the Dominican market is extremely price sensitive, and price continues to be the principal factor in selection.
Web Resources
Sheila Diaz de Andujar, Senior Commercial Specialist; sheila.diaz@trade.gov
Sistema Nacional de Atención a Emergencias (911 System): http://www.911.gob.do
Superintendencia de Vigilancia Privada – Ministerio de Defensa de la Republica Dominicana (Private Security Superintendence – DR Defense Ministry)
http://www.ssp.mil.do
Asociacion Dominicana de Empresas de Segurida – ADESINC (Association of Private Security Companies)
https://www.adesinc.org.do