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The UAE Space Agency is preparing a comprehensive strategy for investing in the country’s space sector, in cooperation with relevant UAE federal and individual Emirate authorities, and which will be released in October 2018.
Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, the Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, said that the strategy will help reinforce the contributions of the space sector to the national economy, as part of Abu Dhabi’s long-term plan to create a knowledge-based economy rather than one dependent upon hydrocarbons.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Dr. Al Ahbabi said that increasing the contribution of the space sector to the UAE economy is a strategic goal of his agency. He also noted that the investment strategy will establish the required framework and guidelines for further investment in the space sector on both the national and international level.
Dr. Al Ahbabi told WAM that the total value of UAE investments in the space sector increased from U.S.$5.4 billion in 2015 to over U.S.$5.99 billion during the first part of the 2018, while space industries, especially satellite applications and related services, are key drivers of the country’s economic growth.
Dr. Al Ahbabi also noted that the legislative policies of the UAE space sector have succeeded in integrating the country’s space programme, while pointing out that there is a policy that regulates the space sector, and that a space law and national strategy for the sector will be announced soon.
Dr. Al Ahbabi also hinted about a landmark agreement between the UAE Space Agency and the U.S. national space agency, NASA, that is expected to be announced at the International Astronautical Congress that will be held in Bremen, Germany, on 1-5 October 2018.
In his interview with WAM Dr. Al Ahbabi also said that the UAE space programme enjoys the full support of the country’s leadership, and that the UAE still aims to become a global space leader.
