On the 28th June 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Space Science Agency and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC).

Based on the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), which seeks to develop the sector to reach an advanced and sustainable industry based on innovative and advanced initiatives, the memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation between the two sides to exchange experiences and build capabilities, in addition to creating other opportunities for cooperation for the purpose of maximizing mutual benefit between the two parties.

The MoU was signed by Eman Ahmed Al-Dosari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Dr. Mohamed Ebrahim Al-Aseeri, CEO of NSSA, in the presence of members of the work team implementing the terms of the memorandum and a group of officials from both sides.

On this occasion, Eman Ahmed Al-Dosari said: “This partnership crowns the efforts made by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, headed by H.E. Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Industry and Commerce, in implementing initiatives that fall under the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026), which was included in the economic recovery plan to develop the Kingdom’s sectors on a large scale to achieve comprehensive economic development in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, supports the industrial sector in a way that encourages the process of construction and development in the Kingdom, and contributes to creating quality opportunities for citizens” .

She added that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with the National Space Science Agency, is seeking to implement this innovative initiative within the axis of investment in infrastructure to increase the efficiency of inspections and control of industrial areas using artificial intelligence technology in analyzing satellite images and using modern technologies.

For his part, Dr. Al-Aseeri, CEO of NSSA, said: “This memorandum comes in line with the royal directives of His Majesty the King to propose more ideas and initiatives to achieve comprehensive economic development to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in the fields of industry and future sciences, as it achieves the desired integration between government agencies in line with the directives of the government headed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. This memorandum came to frame the existing cooperation between the two sides and lay the foundation for launching a set of initiatives related to the exploitation of space applications to support the efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in several fields. NSSA is keen to employ all its capabilities to support various government agencies in a way that contributes to supporting efforts to achieve the goals of comprehensive and sustainable development and improve the level of services provided to beneficiaries.”