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Saudi, US Companies Invest in Saudi Space Sector

Saudi delegation discusses the development of the space sector through cooperation with US companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi delegation discusses the development of the space sector through cooperation with US companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, US Companies Invest in Saudi Space Sector

Saudi delegation discusses the development of the space sector through cooperation with US companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi delegation discusses the development of the space sector through cooperation with US companies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A high-ranking Saudi delegation visited the US and succeeded in establishing investments and development partnerships in the space sector.

The meetings discussed several issues aimed at exchanging know-how and technologies on microgravity platforms, cooperating to localize the satellite industry, enhancing joint capabilities to discover space debris, and effectively contributing to building advanced navigational systems.

During his visit to the US, Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission Abdullah al-Swaha held several discussions with heads of US space companies.

Swaha, who is also Minister of Communications and Information Technology, met with the founder and CEO of Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, and CEO of Redwire Peter Cannito. The meetings were attended by the acting CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, Mohammed bin Saud al-Tamimi.

Swaha and Tamimi discussed investment and development opportunities to enhance the role of the space sector in the Kingdom with CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA) John Elbon and founder of Space Perspective Jane Poynter.

The meetings aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in spacecraft launch services, build partnerships to contribute to the growth of the space tourism sector, exchange expertise and technologies, and develop the sector’s role in achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Saudi delegation visited NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where the Saudi officials were received by Assistant Director of the Kennedy Space Center Burton Summerfield. The meeting discussed investment opportunities in establishing and managing spaceports.

Saudi Arabia is currently focusing on developing space activities and the economy as the Kingdom invests in capacity building, and digital, technical, and research to transform into an innovation-based economy.

The visit to the US aims to strengthen mutual relations and exchange the best global expertise and practices in space exploration, technology, and related industries. It discusses ways to enhance innovation and pioneering projects and transfer and localize advanced technologies in the space sector.

During his visit, Swaha met with the US Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger.

The meeting reviewed fostering partnership and developing cooperation between the two sides in several areas, including cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and creating digital capabilities in cybersecurity.

The minister also met with Ambassador Barbara Leaf, senior director of the Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the US National Security Council, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries in entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and the development of sustainable and green technology.

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UK Treasury Chief Heading to China to Revive Suspended Economic, Financial Talks

FILE PHOTO: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to the media after a tour of Maidstone Hospital on December 10, 2024 in Maidstone, Britain. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to the media after a tour of Maidstone Hospital on December 10, 2024 in Maidstone, Britain. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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UK Treasury Chief Heading to China to Revive Suspended Economic, Financial Talks

FILE PHOTO: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to the media after a tour of Maidstone Hospital on December 10, 2024 in Maidstone, Britain. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to the media after a tour of Maidstone Hospital on December 10, 2024 in Maidstone, Britain. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Britain's Treasury chief is travelling to China this weekend to discuss economic and financial cooperation between the countries, as the UK's Labour government seeks to reset strained ties with Beijing.
The Treasury said Friday that Rachel Reeves will travel to Beijing and Shanghai and will meet with her Chinese government counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Reuters reported.
Reeves' trip is expected to revive the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue — annual bilateral talks that have been suspended since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations in recent years.
A series of spying allegations from both sides, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war and a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony, have soured ties.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and the UK Financial Conduct Authority's chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, are also in the delegation, according to the Treasury. Representatives from some of Britain’s biggest financial services firms will join the trip.
Officials did not provide details, but media reports have said senior executives from HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered were included.
Reeves' visit comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy travelled to China in October and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November.
The meetings form part of a bid by Starmer, who was elected as leader in July, to strengthen political and economic ties with China, the UK's fifth-largest trading partner.
Officials said Starmer wanted a “pragmatic” approach to working with Beijing on global stability, climate change and the transition to clean energy.
But some in the opposition Conservative Party have criticized his stance and said trade ties should not come at the expense of national security and human rights concerns.
British political leaders and intelligence chiefs have warned repeatedly of the security threats that China poses. Calls to tackle the challenge grew louder last month when it emerged that an alleged Chinese spy had cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and carried out “covert and deceptive activity” for China's ruling Communist Party, according to officials.
Nevertheless, Lammy told reporters in London on Thursday that “there are many areas of trade that don’t impact on national security.”
He said Reeves “will repeat many of the messages that I took to China.”
“What we’ve said is in this complex relationship with a global superpower, we are guided by three Cs”: challenge, compete and cooperate, for example in areas including health and climate challenges, Lammy added.