1st Middle East space forum to open in Muscat on Monday
Published: 05:01 PM,Jan 06,2024 | EDITED : 09:01 PM,Jan 06,2024
1st Middle East space forum to open in Muscat on Monday
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Transport Communications and Information Technology, is hosting the first space conference in the Middle East region on Monday, January 8, 2023.
Dr Ali al Shidhani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry, highlighted the significance of this event in a statement, “The conference will serve as a unique platform for all partners from the government and industry to communicate directly and develop areas for collaboration.'
He added, “This conference also aims to raise awareness in the international space community about the opportunities in the space sector in the region.”
According to Ministry officials, more than 400 participants from the space sector are expected to participate in the forum which will spotlight related space industry policies, space applications and enablers.
The event is also part of the Sultanate of Oman's National Space Programme — a 10 year executive program which aims to cement the country’s role in the space industry. Dr Al Shidhani emphasised the pivotal role the conference will play in propelling Oman’s space ambitions, “ [The conference] will enhance the Sultanate's position in this sector and place it on the global and regional space map, given the competitive advantages and capabilities that the country possesses, adding value to the space industry.” It is worth noting that the Ministry’s strategy will focus primarily on downstream activities which include space operations for terrestrial use and services.
Head of the Programme, Dr Saoud Humaid Salim al Shoaili cited the profitability of this sector as the driving force behind this decision.
“Ninety per cent of the [space industry market] is found in end-to-end activities in applications and terrestrial uses,” he noted, adding: “The Sultanate of Oman will focus on downstream opportunities, where most investment opportunities and most profitable returns lie, whether it be from government investment or through attracting foreign investment.”
According to Al Shoaili, the total value of the global space market amounted to $337 billion in 2021, with upstream space services — space transportation and exploration — making up only 10 per cent of the market.
Euroconsult, a leading space sector consulting firm, is supporting the Ministry in the delivery of this landmark forum in Oman.
Dr Ali al Shidhani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry, highlighted the significance of this event in a statement, “The conference will serve as a unique platform for all partners from the government and industry to communicate directly and develop areas for collaboration.'
He added, “This conference also aims to raise awareness in the international space community about the opportunities in the space sector in the region.”
According to Ministry officials, more than 400 participants from the space sector are expected to participate in the forum which will spotlight related space industry policies, space applications and enablers.
The event is also part of the Sultanate of Oman's National Space Programme — a 10 year executive program which aims to cement the country’s role in the space industry. Dr Al Shidhani emphasised the pivotal role the conference will play in propelling Oman’s space ambitions, “ [The conference] will enhance the Sultanate's position in this sector and place it on the global and regional space map, given the competitive advantages and capabilities that the country possesses, adding value to the space industry.” It is worth noting that the Ministry’s strategy will focus primarily on downstream activities which include space operations for terrestrial use and services.
Head of the Programme, Dr Saoud Humaid Salim al Shoaili cited the profitability of this sector as the driving force behind this decision.
“Ninety per cent of the [space industry market] is found in end-to-end activities in applications and terrestrial uses,” he noted, adding: “The Sultanate of Oman will focus on downstream opportunities, where most investment opportunities and most profitable returns lie, whether it be from government investment or through attracting foreign investment.”
According to Al Shoaili, the total value of the global space market amounted to $337 billion in 2021, with upstream space services — space transportation and exploration — making up only 10 per cent of the market.
Euroconsult, a leading space sector consulting firm, is supporting the Ministry in the delivery of this landmark forum in Oman.