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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)
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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.

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Trump Bails 'Big Progress' in Japan Tariff Talks

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts as he speaks to reporters after a Japanese negotiator held ministerial talks at the White House regarding US tariffs, at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 17 April 2025. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts as he speaks to reporters after a Japanese negotiator held ministerial talks at the White House regarding US tariffs, at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 17 April 2025. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS
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Trump Bails 'Big Progress' in Japan Tariff Talks

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts as he speaks to reporters after a Japanese negotiator held ministerial talks at the White House regarding US tariffs, at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 17 April 2025. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reacts as he speaks to reporters after a Japanese negotiator held ministerial talks at the White House regarding US tariffs, at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 17 April 2025. FRANCK ROBICHON/Pool via REUTERS

President Donald Trump touted "big progress" in tariff talks with Japan on Wednesday, in one of the first rounds of face-to-face negotiations since his barrage of duties on global imports roiled markets and stoked recession fears.

Japan had not expected the president to get involved in Wednesday's talks, viewing them as a preliminary, fact-finding mission, a sign that Trump wants to keep tight control over negotiations with dozens of countries expected over coming days and weeks, Reuters said.

Tokyo had also been hoping to limit the scope of the talks to trade and investment matters. But announcing his involvement early Wednesday, Trump said thorny issues including the amount Japan pays towards hosting US troops were among discussion topics.

"A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!" Trump said in a social media message that contained no details of the discussions.

Opposite Trump was Ryosei Akazawa, a close confidant of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba who serves in the relatively junior cabinet position of economic revitalization minister.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Akazawa gave few details but said the parties had agreed to hold a second meeting later this month and that Trump had said getting a deal with Japan was a "top priority".

Exchange rates, which the Trump administration has said Japan and others manipulate to get a trade advantage, were not part of the talks, Akazawa added.

The dollar strengthened against the yen after his remarks on forex, up around 0.5% on the day. Tokyo denies it manipulates its yen currency lower to get make its exports cheaper.

Akazawa held a 50-minute meeting with Trump at the White House before another session with his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that stretched to almost an hour and a half, according to Japanese readouts of the talks.

Japan's prime minister, who has previously said he won't rush to reach a deal and does not plan to make big concessions, sounded a more cautious tone speaking to reporters later in Tokyo.

"Of course, the negotiations will not be easy going forward, but President Trump has stated that he wants to give top priority to the talks with Japan," Ishiba said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni heads to the White House on Thursday to discuss tariffs imposed on the European Union with Trump, while Bessent has invited South Korea's finance minister to Washington for talks next week.

FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE

Trump has long complained about the US trade deficit with Japan and other countries, saying US businesses have been "ripped off" by trade practices and intentional efforts by other countries to maintain weak currencies.

Japan has been hit with 24% levies on its exports to the United States although these rates have, like most of Trump's tariffs, been paused for 90 days. But a 10% universal rate remains in place as does a 25% duty for cars, a mainstay of Japan's export-reliant economy.

Bessent has said there is a "first mover advantage" given Washington has said more than 75 countries have requested talks since Trump announced sweeping duties on dozens of countries - both friend and foe - earlier this month.

Akazawa declined to comment on the matter, adding only that he strongly requested a revocation of the tariffs and that he believed Washington wanted to secure a deal in the 90-day window.

Washington is hoping to strike deals with countries that would cover tariffs, non-tariff barriers and exchange rates, Bessent has said, though Tokyo had lobbied to keep the latter separate.

Trump earlier this month lambasted Japan for what he said was a 700% tariff on rice, a figure Tokyo disputes. Levies on autos are particularly painful for Japan as they make up nearly a third of shipments to the US, its biggest export market.

Japan hopes that pledges to expand investment in the United States will help to convince the US that the allies can achieve a "win-win" situation without tariffs.

Possible Japanese investment in a multi-billion dollar gas project in Alaska could also feature in tariff negotiations, Bessent said before Wednesday's talks.

"It sounds like the Trump administration really does want a quick deal, which suggests it will be a less substantive deal," said Tobias Harris of Japan Foresight, a political risk advisory.

"My baseline is that if the US really starts making demands on agriculture and maybe also on some of the auto regulations, it becomes a lot more contentious and hard to do quickly."