Middle East set to make great gains from space related commercial opportunities

Launched at a time the Middle East is stepping up efforts to become a serious aviation and aerospace commercial, technical and services hub, the three-day event at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has provided a first class platform to examine the latest space technology and emerging commercial and investment opportunities.

Prof. Abdelhaq M. Hamza, Head of the Physics and Astronomy Department at the American University of Sharjah chaired the opening session, which commenced with a Keynote Address - Vision for the Space Sector in the UAE - delivered by H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General, Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology, UAE.

Ahmed Al Mansoori, said:

"Our UAE space programme is a pioneering initiative spearheaded by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science & Technology. The programme is building a platform for the UAE's quest for space science and technological advancement."

This was followed by a Keynote Address - Space Policy and Strategy - by Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl, Director, European Space Policy Institute, Austria.

Berin Szoka, Chairman, Space Frontier Foundation, USA gave a presentation on 'the Importance of a Space Strategy' and Dr. Hamid Al Naimiy, President, Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences led a discussion on the 'Proposal for an Arab Space Research Agency'.

Organised by Streamline Marketing Group, the Global Space Technology Forum drew senior representatives from space agencies and national space programmes, government officials, policy makers, entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, scientists, academia, airline and aerospace senior management, and legal and insurance experts.

"The event has been a great first-time success, providing an essential platform for national space agencies, space research institutions, entrepreneurs, governments and private corporations to contribute to the future of the global space industry,"

said Nick Webb, Director of Streamline Marketing Group.

H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori said the conference and exhibition provided a platform for sharing experiences between different entities. "There is more interest in global space among entities both locally and regionally. We hope that we will build up better relations and plan our future projects in a more coordinated manner and enhance the cooperation among those working in the Space Technology field. There is so much to be achieved with coordinated work. We would like to see the forum becoming a sustainable foundation for discussion and sharing of expertise among a growing base of experts in this region.

The event highlighted the fact that the space industry is no longer the sole domain of governments and major corporations, with advancements in space technology opening the door for entrepreneurs and small businesses to become involved in ambitious space projects and ventures, such as space tourism.

The day concluded with a session on Commercial Opportunities in the Space Sector, including speeches by Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director, Virgin Galactic; Dr. Burton Lee, Principal, Space Angels Network, Silicon Valley, US; Steve Landeene, Executive Director, New Mexico Spaceport, USA; and Anousheh Ansari, CEO, Prodea Systems.