(businesswire)
The global identification industry is booming, no more so than in Asia Pacific where government, healthcare and transportation providers are faced with identifying and verifying millions of people. To address this demand CARTES in Asia exhibition and conference will be held for a second year running at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, 29 to 31 March 2011. This event is the platform for professionals across APAC to meet global suppliers and learn about industry developments in smart technologies and digital security.

With a CAGR value of 11.7% between 2009-14, the global market for personal ID technologies is forecast to reach US$10.5 billion by 2014, according to a study by Pira International. With the highest population density in the world, Asia Pacific is undoubtedly driving this growth. As well as adopting the successful initiatives from the West, industries in this region are developing their own systems to cope with different needs.

Established markets such as Australia, parts of mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan have all embraced ID technology. Citizens in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore already carry biometric ID cards, which need to be updated and renewed regularly. In many cities across China including Hong Kong, residents use smart cards to pay for transport and the Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Hunan is set to install a new biometric security system as part of a US$270 million expansion plan to ensure greater airport security.

Singapore uses smart assets to manage traffic congestion and commuters in Japan use one card to pay fares for all transport links. In Malaysia smart cards hold personal data and a thumbprint, and can also be used to pay road tolls and access ATM machines...
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