Saudi Arabia to Lead Middle East Countries in Sustainable Space Sector Development

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia to Lead Middle East Countries in Sustainable Space Sector Development

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

As the Saudi space strategy approaches its launch, expectations for investment in the space sector are growing, with an industry expert predicting that the anticipated budget may be comparable to major space economies.

Moreover, Riyadh is expected to lead the way in creating a competitive and regulatory environment with an innovative approach driven by the public sector, which will support the growth of the regional ecosystem.

Growth Predictions

Phil Malem, CEO of Serco Middle East, estimated the global space industry to be worth more than $400 billion, with expectations of it growing to over a trillion dollars by 2040.

Investments should support the entire value chain of the space ecosystem, from launch to satellite manufacturing within the country, operations, ground segment, and end data services, Malem emphasized.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Malem stated that creating the full value chain for the space ecosystem will maximize all relevant industry sectors, such as space exploration, robotics, space science, Earth observation, Satcom, and space sustainability.

Saudi Leadership

According to Malem, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans for the country and the region will position it as a global player with a significant impact on space sustainability, leading the Middle East region in this field.

Malem expected that both public and private investments would back the formation of international partnerships in the region and create a local ecosystem. This includes the Saudi Space Accelerator Program, which was introduced by the Saudi Space Commission in 2023.

The program aims to aid startups and entrepreneurs in developing innovative space solutions within the Kingdom while simplifying knowledge transfer, technology, and training.

Malem stressed the importance of strengthening top training programs for operational services through various global space services for professionals in multiple locations, agencies, and public space institutions, such as engineers, operators, and analysts.

This is necessary to enhance the entire space value chain from satellite design and spacecraft operations to data processing and management, explained Malem.

Economic Diversification

Malem forecasted that Saudi Arabia would experience exponential growth in the space sector as part of its economic diversification plans in the region.

He anticipated that space would be a top priority under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who serves as the chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and leads the Supreme Space Council.

The potential for the space sector to impact all economic sectors through services enabled by space data is significant, highlighted Malem.

Since 2018, the Saudi space sector has made big strides in creating a competitive and accessible environment.

Malem noted efforts had been made to enhance the Kingdom’s strategy and achieve incredible accomplishments in human spaceflight missions, including plans to launch Saudi astronauts this year.

Serious Mobilization

Riyadh has taken significant steps toward the sector, affirmed Malem, adding that Saudi Arabia has filled positions with qualified professionals from the global space industry over the past year.

According to Malem, the Kingdom adopted a policy of attracting the best talent to help shape the space sector’s long-term growth, drive, and sustainability.

Saudi Arabia’s space sector will prioritize both economic expansion and the development of its national workforce, said Malem.

The sector aims to position the Kingdom as a leading country in the field of space, he added, noting that this effort presents significant opportunities for building a skilled and confident local workforce capable of implementing the space program and supporting the revitalization of national visions.

Serco’s Plan

Serco’s action plan includes collaborating with local academic, industrial, and public sector organizations to design, develop, and provide training, revealed Malem.

He added that the aim is to prepare Saudi citizens with the abilities, knowledge, and experience required to tackle long-term growth challenges in the regional space sector.



US Energy Secretary Says Riyadh and Washington to Sign Civil Nuclear Agreement

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks at the press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Photo: Turki al-Aqaili
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks at the press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Photo: Turki al-Aqaili
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US Energy Secretary Says Riyadh and Washington to Sign Civil Nuclear Agreement

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks at the press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Photo: Turki al-Aqaili
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks at the press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Photo: Turki al-Aqaili

The United States and Saudi Arabia will sign a preliminary agreement on energy cooperation and civilian nuclear technology, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday.

Wright spoke at a press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh where he arrived from the United Arab Emirates on Saturday as part of a regional tour that will also take him to Qatar.

His visit comes amid world economic turmoil over the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. But Wright said that these tariffs don’t seek to restrict trade, rather they aim for fair and reciprocal trade.

His visit also comes ahead of an expected visit by Trump to the Kingdom, the UAE and Qatar in May to consolidate relations.

The US Energy Secretary told journalists at the Saudi Energy Ministry that Riyadh and Washington were on a "pathway" to reaching an agreement to work together to better develop energy resources and energy infrastructure, in addition to mining cooperation, civilian nuclear technology and energy production.

Wright said further details over a memorandum detailing the energy cooperation between Riyadh and Washington would come later this year.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced last September that the Kingdom is working to develop peaceful uses for nuclear energy across various fields.

In his press conference on Sunday, Wright discussed the meetings he has held in Riyadh. There have “been very wide ranging dialogues for a day and a half now and they're going to continue. We've talked about energy in all aspects of energy. We've talked about mining, critical materials. We've talked about processing in industry. We've talked about climate change. We've talked about human lives and what drives their improvement and how best to achieve those ends,” he said.

On Saturday, Prince Abdulaziz met with Wright at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) where the US official was briefed on the Center's role in the fields of energy policy research and its transitions, climate change, sustainable transportation, and consultancy services, in addition to the development of models and analytical tools that contribute to finding solutions to current challenges in the energy sector. They also discussed opportunities for cooperation in energy research, exchange of expertise, and strengthening joint research efforts.

Wright said Sunday that he believed “Saudi Arabia will be one of the leading countries in investing in the United States. I think that's a win for the Kingdom here. It's a win for the United States. And for us, most importantly, it's a win for the working class and American citizens to have better job opportunities.”

He added that the “broader objectives” of the US and Saudi Arabia “are prosperity at home and peace abroad.”

Wright also said in response to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat that tariffs are part of Trump's economic agenda.

He said Trump is trying to grow the flow of goods outside the United States into other countries while sustaining imports and engagement with countries from around the world. “So that's a way you could describe this. Fair trade, not restricted trade, just fair trade, reciprocal trade.”

He added that the United States has seen a lot of its intensive industries, particularly energy, move outside of the country and be outsourced somewhere else. “Too many Americans have seen their job opportunities shift overseas.”

“So tariffs are also a way to give a nudge and encourage investment into our country, to make products in our country, to grow economic opportunity and prosperity in America.”