Saudi-British Cooperation in Climate Protection, Space Economy

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi-British Cooperation in Climate Protection, Space Economy

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat

Talks between Saudi and British officials over opportunities for international cooperation and partnership in the fields of climate protection, space economies and human cadres’ development have concluded in London.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Authority, Eng. Abdullah Amer Al-Swaha, met on Friday with Kwasi Kwarteng, the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, as part of a visit to the United Kingdom to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of space economy.

During the meeting, which was attended by the President-designate of the Saudi Space Authority, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi, Saudi and UK officials emphasized the importance of encouraging the participation of the private sector in the field of space economy, promoting investment and developing human capabilities.

The visit comes within the framework of the Saudi Space Authority’s endeavor to build effective international partnerships in order to promote its role and support its efforts to achieve its strategic objectives for the Saudi space sector, which represents a national priority, and to contribute to the Kingdom’s transformation towards an economy based on innovation.

The Kingdom wants the space economy to become a major contributor to the achievement of Vision 2030.

In a qualitative step, Saudi Arabia announced in July the launch of the first Saudi program for external scholarship, which provides quality educational opportunities for Saudi students to enroll in specializations related to space sciences in the most prominent 30 universities around the world, as part of the comprehensive development plans for the space sector in the Kingdom.



Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called on Monday for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that as democracies the two sides should be working together.

Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements.

For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a "like-minded" partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.

Speaking at a Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai said that facing the threat of expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan and the EU must form a "strong democratic umbrella" and build secure supply chains for global democracies.

"Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to take an innovative approach towards the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU," he said.

Such an agreement would set a sound institutional basis for further cooperation in fields such as semiconductors and AI, Lai added.

"This would not only make both our economies more resilient and secure, but also ensure the stable operation of global supply chains."

Taiwanese investment in EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which in August launched a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers.

Maria Martin-Prat, deputy head of the European Commission's directorate general for trade, made no mention of signing such a deal with Taiwan in a video message to the investment event, though she did praise bilateral relations.

"Taiwan, a vibrant democracy with an open economy, is a trusted partner for us to promote our economic security," she said.

Taiwan has few free trade agreements, though last year it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.