The UAE Space Agency, along with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, has shared the results of the 2021 Space Economic Survey. This survey aimed to assess how well the national space sector is doing, help it grow, and make the UAE an attractive place for talent, investments, and innovation.
Sarah Al Amiri, Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, and Hanan Al Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, were present during the announcement.
They’ve also started the 2023 Space Economic Survey to see how much the space sector contributes to the UAE’s economy. They want to understand this strategic sector better and are asking for help from their partners, organizations, and companies in the national space sector.
Here are some key findings from the survey:
- Spending on the UAE’s space sector increased by 6.61 percent compared to the previous year. The government spent 55.7 percent of this money, which is 12.7 percent more than the previous year. Commercial spending made up the remaining 44.3 percent.
- The survey showed a 14.8 percent increase in research and development (R&D) spending, with most of it going to space exploration.
- In the space sector workforce, 38.5 percent are Emirati nationals, and 59.2 percent are young Emiratis.
- More than half (54.4 percent) of the entities benefiting from space-related services and applications are in the UAE. The communications sector benefited the most, followed by sectors like security, education, tourism, and entertainment. Scientific publications related to space also went up by 83.6 percent.
Sarah Al Amiri mentioned that the UAE government is focusing on the space sector for the next 50 years, with plans to become a leader in space technology. They’re also supporting small and medium-sized space enterprises.
Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, added that the survey provides a solid foundation to grow the space sector, its workforce, and investments.
Hanan Al Ahli mentioned that the survey offers important data for decision-makers, investors, researchers, and institutions involved in space. It helps with decision-making, policies, and the development and sustainability of the space economy, as well as investments in knowledge-based industries.
