The Dhs 50 million building was officially inaugurated by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group. Business partners and VIP guests from the banking, security and valuables trading community also attended the ceremony and gala celebrations.

The new purpose-built headquarters for Emirates Group Security and its Transguard business divisions, is a one-stop centre designed to efficiently and securely handle valuables and vulnerable cargo for commercial and international shipping. It is dedicated to high-value shipments only, consolidating all the related handling processes, services and expertise under one roof.

Sheikh Ahmed says "This new facility will boost Transguard's and Emirates Group Security's capabilities, and enhance their leadership position in the security solutions industry. The advanced infrastructure will also play a key role in fulfilling Dubai's vision to become a premier trading and shipping centre for valuables and gold. We look forward to providing shippers and traders of valuable cargo with the best quality services, and a convenient, secure environment in which to trade and process their cargo."

The new building is fully-equipped to handle valuable goods and vulnerable goods such as computer chips, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals - allowing such cargo to be speedily processed. Cash can be securely packed and efficiently shipped around the world, making it a boon for banking and security exchanges.

The facility also has airside accessibility, offering the fastest route from stronghold to aircraft and vice versa. Transguard is the only security company in the UAE authorised to offer this service. In addition, office space is available for lease to businesses such as exchange houses who could benefit from the facility's secure premises to reduce cost of insurance and movements of valuables.

Dr. Abdulla Al Hashimi, divisional senior vice president, Emirates Group Security and Transguard, says: "Valuables, like perishables, are a 'must go' item. Perishables can spoil if left unprocessed for an extra day, and similarly a shipment of cash or gold can experience volatile changes in value over a day. So seamless and secure handling is critical."

"In designing our new facility, we researched and travelled widely to look at the best practices in different areas. We are proud to have one of only a few sites in the world that is purpose-built to offer all the valuable handling facilities under one roof. Many representatives from major airlines and banks have visited the site to date, and all have walked away impressed. No security issues have been raised by any of the assessors."

Other key features and facilities:

- The Control Centre; Employing the latest technologies, the control centre is the centre of communications from which the security team monitors all facilities of the Emirates Group, track Transguard vehicles by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), and access international information systems via the internet.

- ATM cash processing facility; The facility will house the largest cash processing machine in the region, with high-tech connections that monitor the cash levels in over 620 ATM machines across the UAE, allowing the team to coordinate the reconciliation and replenishment of machines. The unit supported with a fleet of 110 armoured vehicles.

- Direct access to and from air gate bays; cash processing with packing facilities, secure vaults for transit or long-term storage.

- Integrated handling; Ground Handling Agents and the regulatory agencies such as customs and police, will be integrated within the facility.

- Round the clock security; The building is completely monitored by state-of-the art security systems, CCTV surveillance, and will be guarded on a 24-hour basis.

The building is already certified by TAPA (The Technical Asset Protection Association), making it the first TAPA-certified valuable handling warehouse in the Middle East. Emirates Group Security and Transguard's administrative functions have already relocated to the new building, and the facility is expected to commence full operations as a valuables and vulnerable cargo handling hub in April.