The UAE Space Agency has unveiled the results of its 2021 Space Economic Survey in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. The primary objective of this survey was to assess the performance of the national space sector, stimulate its growth, and solidify the UAE’s status as a prominent global hub for attracting talent, investments, and innovation.
The announcement ceremony witnessed the presence of prominent figures, including Sarah Al Amiri, Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, and Hanan Al Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.
In a forward-looking move, the UAE Space Agency has also launched the 2023 Space Economic Survey, designed to gauge the space sector’s contribution to the national economy and provide a comprehensive overview of this strategic and pioneering domain. The agency has called upon its strategic partners, entities, and companies operating within the national space sector to actively participate in this survey, emphasizing its role in accomplishing objectives and strengthening national capabilities.
The survey’s key findings highlighted a notable 6.61 percent increase in total spending within the UAE’s space sector compared to the previous year. Government expenditure accounted for 55.7 percent of the total spending, witnessing a significant 12.7 percent year-on-year surge, while commercial investments made up the remaining 44.3 percent.
Regarding research and development (R&D) spending, the survey unveiled a substantial 14.8 percent increase, with R&D focused on space exploration constituting a significant 76.8 percent of the total. Emirati nationals constituted 38.5 percent of the workforce in the space sector, with an impressive 59.2 percent being young Emirati talents.
The survey further revealed that 54.4 percent of entities benefiting from services and applications provided by space-related organizations were based in the UAE. The communications sector was the largest beneficiary, followed by sectors like security, education, tourism, and entertainment. Furthermore, scientific publications saw a remarkable 83.6 percent increase.
Sarah Al Amiri, Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, underscored the UAE government’s commitment to prioritizing the space sector for the next half-century, aligning with the vision of the nation’s wise leadership. She emphasized the country’s aspiration to become a leading global developer of space technologies through innovative plans and initiatives. Al Amiri also highlighted the UAE’s dedication to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the space sector to bolster the national space economy.
She concluded by expressing the pivotal role the 2023 Space Economic Survey will play in evaluating future economic opportunities, providing a comprehensive vision for informed decision-making, and setting the course for sustainable development in cooperation with strategic partners.
Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, echoed the commitment of the government to further advance the sector through a multifaceted strategy, emphasizing the development of national organizations and human capital to establish the UAE as a global hub for talents, innovators, and investments in the space domain.
Hanan Al Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, stressed the significance of the survey’s data for decision-makers, investors, researchers, and institutions involved in the space industry. She underscored its pivotal role in informing decision-making, policy formulation, and the sustainable growth of the space economy, along with nurturing investments in the national knowledge-based sector.
