Official information revealed serious efforts by Saudi Arabia to build an integrated space sector aimed at transferring and indigenizing technologies in cooperation with international entities.
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) said that there were seven main areas of fundamental importance within the strategic goals of Vision 2030, mainly space and aviation, environment, water and agriculture, digital technologies, urban transformation and logistical services.
A report on the prospects for future technologies in the Kingdom, issued by KACST, revealed the state’s efforts to establish a strong and sustainable national space sector and transfer and indigenize technologies through cooperation with international centers and entities.
The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 also aims to make Saudi Arabia a global center for logistics services, the report added.
Moreover, KACST underlined that with the increase in the population and the frequency of climatic shocks to which the agricultural and water systems are exposed, it has become important for the Kingdom to improve the sustainability of its agricultural, water and environmental resources in a way that benefits the national economy as a whole and helps Saudi Arabia track its performance towards its international commitments
The report said that KACST supports development activities in the field of environment, water and agriculture, through active research projects to combat agricultural and animal pests and desertification, in addition to continuous measuring of environmental pollution and projects to preserve wildlife.
It also works in partnership with the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program to develop technologies pertaining to vertical and hydroponic farming and soil improvement.
The Ministry of Energy is the competent authority in charge of the sector’s strategies and activities, which are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, the report noted, adding that the National Industry Development and Logistics Program promotes the use of renewable energy to generate power by developing more than 35 projects throughout the Kingdom.
The report stated that Saudi Arabia was seeking to build national industries that are able to compete locally and globally through national exports, in line with the national vision that aims to develop the industries of equipment, mining, chemicals and industrial machinery to meet the rapidly growing local and regional demand.