Abu Dhabi: The national space sector policy announced on Tuesday aims to build a strong and sustainable space sector in the UAE that supports and protects national interests and related vital industries, according to the UAE Space Agency.
The document was approved on September 4 by the Council of Ministers, headed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The policy envisages contributing to economic growth and diversification, strengthening specialised Emirati skill sets and developing scientific and hi-tech capabilities. It also seeks to nurture and grow a culture of innovation and enhance the UAE’s status on regional and global levels.
Dr Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said the policy aims that the space sector reaches short and long-term goals, and strengthens the UAE’s position among leading countries in space exploration and space capabilities development.
Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director-general of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), said the UAE’s push towards a knowledge-based economy depends on promoting the culture of scientific research and technical innovation. “Certainly, the UAE’s interest in space science and industry is just a gateway to promising major economic investments in the future,” he said.
The document outlines core principles for the space sector, which fall in line with the UAE’s vision and strategic planning across other sectors, the UAE’s goals and ambitions for space sector activity, including support for key industries and the development of a sustainable, competitive and diverse commercial space industry.
It also identifies the basic enabling capabilities necessary for realising its aims, provides the relevant authorities with instructions for supporting space sector development, and includes follow-up measures to ensure that the policy is successfully implemented.
Following the launch of the policy, the UAE Space Agency will turn its efforts to launching the National Space Sector Strategy, and the related laws.
Masoud M. Sharif Mahmoud, chief executive officer, Yahsat, said the UAE space sector has contributed to the diversification of the national economy. The national space policy is a further milestone towards the country’s vision and ambition to become one of the world’s main players in the space industry.
Samer Halawi, Thuraya Telecommunications Company CEO, said Thuraya was the first company to fulfil the founding fathers’ vision that the UAE should be a key player in space for the benefit of humankind. “We save and improve lives daily — by responding to distressed calls, by supporting NGOs and the United Nations in crisis response and management, and simply by connecting loved ones with one another.”
