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Saudi Arabia's CST and SSA Launch the SpaceUp Competition to Develop

Innovative Space Based Solutions

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)
and the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) have launched the global
SpaceUp Competition, in partnership with Neo Space Group
(NSG), which aims to promote Space entrepreneurship, support
local companies specializing in Space based solution, attract
global entrepreneurs, startups and Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs), and encourage the adoption of Space based solutions
by entities operating across various vital sectors. Through its six
challenge tracks, the SpaceUp Competition targets global & local
entrepreneurs, startups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
to develop Space based solutions for challenges in vital sectors,
by linking the supply with the demand. The SpaceUp Competition
presents about 28 Million USD contractual opportunities across
all competition tracks, in addition to providing direct access with
end-users. localization, as well as connecting with end-users to
implement the proposed solutions. The SpaceUp Competition
includes six challenge tracks supporting various sectors. The first
challenge track is “Monitoring Date Palms Pest and Disease” track
sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture
and the Weqqa Center, which focuses on providing Space based
solutions to monitor palm farms and detect pests. The second
is “Improving City Livability by Monitoring Urban Heat Islands”
sponsored by the Quality of Life Program, which aims at solving
the problem of rising temperatures in crowded cities. The third is
“Monitoring the Impact of Infrastructure Development” sponsored
by Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre to promote infrastructure
projects and traffic management. The fourth and fifth challenge
tracks are “Optimizing Urban Road Assets” track that aims to
provide solutions to detect urban road damage and elevate its
maintenance, and “Mapping of Urban Trees” that aims to monitor
and maintain urban green spaces, sponsored by the Ministry of
Municipalities and Housing. The sixth is “Greening Saudi Arabia”
which seeks to monitor tree growth and support sustainability
efforts related to Saudi Green Initiative. It is worth noting that the
SpaceUp Competition extends the efforts of CST and the SSA in
enhancing investment opportunities in the Saudi Space sector and
stimulating research and innovation.

Pakistan Joins 2Africa Cable Project, Strengthening Telecom Infrastructure
and Digital Connectivity

The Pakistani government has launched growth, with a 17% increase in telecom International Telecommunication Union
the 2Africa Cable Project to address revenue from fiscal year 2022 to 2023. (ITU) ICT Development Index for 2024,
challenges in internet provision. The The sector’s revenue for fiscal year 2023- alongside a 29% growth in mobile phone
project, which spans 45,000 kilometers of 2024 reached 955 billion rupees, and its users, further boosting digital connectivity.
undersea cables, will connect 46 landing contribution to the country’s economy is Furthermore, Pakistan has become one
stations across 33 countries. The cable’s projected to hit 335 billion rupees in 2024. of 37 countries to establish a Webtrust-
landing point in Pakistan will be at Hawks In addition, Pakistan improved its global Audited National Public Infrastructure,
Bay, Kemari Town, Karachi, with Transworld ranking, moving from 79th to 40th in the enhancing its position in global digital
Associates as the local operator. Pakistan’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index. The infrastructure development.
telecom sector has seen impressive country also saw a 14% increase in the
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