The International Security Ligue has issued an official position statement in support of allowing participation of foreign companies in countries’ private security sector, as it aligns with the Ligue’s mission to foster a safe and regulated environment that promotes investment and technological innovation in global security.
Dozens of countries still impose on restrictions on foreign ownership of private security companies, a position that they may wish to re-think for reasons of security, economic development, professionalization, technological innovation, and consumer choice.
Countries can benefit substantially from foreign direct investment in the security services marketplace. It contributes to strengthening national security by improving security infrastructure, developing local skills, and introducing advanced technologies. It offers economic benefits that include better productivity, increased wages, and more job opportunities. And it is important for security, as risk and security threats are inherently transnational, requiring solutions, perspectives, and resources that transcend borders.
Allowing foreign ownership and control of private security services companies results in:
• An overall improvement in the quality of security services;
• Access to latest techniques and technology;
• A healthy growth of the local security market, creating more employment, skill development and resultant economic benefits; and
• Creating an opportunity for local companies to scale up or realize the value of their initial investments
The Ligue’s position statement is available in the download library.