MANILA, Philippines ? Fears of a new wave of terrorist-related activities are spurring interest in surveillance equipment, according to a local provider.

Government is one sector implementing high-tech camera surveillance networks as deterrents against potential threats, according to Lee Oh Tee, Axis Communications regional director.

He noted the Philippines is no exception as recent bombings in some populated areas and bank burglaries are putting city administrators under tight requirements to implement better security systems.

Locally, Axis Communications has installed such systems and Lee demand has increased in recent months.

The current economic crisis is also driving demand as companies try to protect their facilities from theft, sabotage, and other risks, he added.

?Regional government offices are a huge market since they have to put up these cameras in areas with high human traffic. This gives them and the populace better sense of security,? said Lee.

The global demand for surveillance cameras is estimated at around $7 billion but is expected to double by 2012. The current market share is mostly for analog cameras but a shift to networked cameras is expected in the next two years.

?Demand for surveillance cameras will be huge in Asia when government offices and private firms start implementing security systems,? Lee said.

Axis Communications recently partnered with wireless mesh network provider Firetide to provide a networked surveillance system in the Philippines. This allows clients to implement a wide area surveillance network that delivers real-time or recorded videos.

Both companies will be represented in the Philippines by MEC Networks.

Merrick Chua, MEC Networks president, said that aside from government agencies, private firms are also seen as a major market for surveillance cameras.

But one of the main uses of these surveillance devices is for business analytics.

Chua said that some mall owners will want to know specific number of human traffic in their locations and come up with gimmicks that can be delivered to specific consumer segments and on specific dates.

?It?s not all about keeping secure but also keeping a good edge in their business. There are a lot of other businesses that can come up with specific uses for surveillance cameras,? Chua said.