A new pathway to help Scottish businesses set up operations in the UAE will give a boost to Scotland and the Emirates' private space sector.
AzurX, an organisation in Dubai whose high-profile clients include Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, has teamed up with Edinburgh’s AstroAgency to support growth in the space business sector.
The partnership would help Scottish and UK space companies set up base in the UAE, helping them to access the country’s thriving market and potentially secure government contracts.
For example, the UAE's latest mission to explore the main asteroid belt and perform a Venus fly-by will be built mainly by the private sector.
The future of space exploration and research hinges on efforts such as this
Salem Al Marri,
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
The Emirates is looking to award contracts to private companies to help build the spacecraft.
It would also benefit the UAE because the space agency and centre would have increased access to local suppliers for its missions, especially as the country looks to grow its private space industry.
Salem Al Marri, director general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said the partnership was an “important international collaboration”.
“We are highly supportive of collaborations between UAE-based specialists like AzurX, and other country specialists, whereby working together can yield highly effective contributions to the global space community,” he said.
“The future of space exploration and research hinges on efforts such as this.
“We recognise and value the important role that the UAE’s private sector companies can make in boosting the UAE’s position as a serious and committed contributor to the global space sector.”
These efforts by AstroAgency are being made to support Scotland’s ambitious new space strategy that was launched at Expo 2020 Dubai last year.
It includes achieving a £4 billion ($5.03bn) share of the global market, creating 20,000 jobs in the sector by 2030 and building multiple launch sites across Scotland.
The country hopes to launch 2,000 small satellites by then to improve its scientific research, telecoms and internet connectivity.
AzurX would facilitate AstroAgency’s plans to help businesses access the UAE market, with discussions already taking place to set up Scottish businesses in the UAE’s space economic zones.
Ivan McKee, Scotland’s Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, said the country’s new strategy was already producing results.
“Six months on from the launch of Scotland’s space strategy at our Space Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and we are seeing tangible positive results coming to fruition,” he said.
“It is great to see dynamic innovative space sector strategy experts AstroAgency and AzurX coming together to bridge fast-growing commercial activities between Scotland and the United Arab Emirates.
“The space industry in Scotland and indeed globally is seeing exponential growth and international business partnerships such as this will become even more important to allow exchange of talent, ideas and business connections.”
The UAE Space Agency has plans to attract foreign investment.
Last month, The National revealed the UAE’s plans to set up economic zones dedicated to space activities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
This would allow start-ups and established businesses to begin operations.
Officials hope this would help the country to become a major player in the region, with a well-developed ecosystem consisting of public and privately led projects – similar to how Nasa has harnessed the power of privately owned companies in the US.
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Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Company profile
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Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
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France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
match info
Manchester United 3 (Martial 7', 44', 74')
Sheffield United 0
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
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Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The specs
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
