Dubai: ETCO signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Italian firm D-Orbit to make space and logistic panels in the Sultanate of Oman.
The pact was inked on the sidelines of Oman’s participation in the International Astronautical Congress 2021 being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The MoU provides for the establishment of a plant to make small and medium space logistic panels through the transfer of Italian expertise and impart relevant knowledge to Omani youth over the next three years.
The project, which is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman, will lay the foundations of space industries and pave the way for more investments in the Sultanate. With support from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the project will contribute to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, among them the creation of an integrated, more competitive and more diversified economy.
Dr Saud Humaid al Shuaili, Head of Space Programmes at the Ministry, said that partnership between the government and private sectors furnishes a proper environment for the attraction of investments in the field of space. “The Ministry’s support to this agreement seeks to activate the Digital Economy Programme,” he said.
Meanwhile, Eng Ammar al Rawahi, Director of Astro and Space Technologies at ETCO, said that the output of the partnership with D-Orbit will cover the needs of the market in the region and open vistas for further space techs, but the greatest gain will be the development of national cadres with international expertise in space industries.
In his turn, Luca Rossettini, Chief Executive Officer at D-Orbit, expressed his delight at the Oman’s joining as a partner in space applications industries in the Middle East. It will enable the Sultanate of Oman to become an active contributor to the new space economy. –ONA
