The United Arab Emirates is intensifying its engagement with the private sector in the space industry, with officials revealing plans to award more contracts to local companies during the 'Make it in the Emirates' conference held on Tuesday.

Amer Al Sayegh, deputy assistant at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), emphasized a significant shift towards involving local entities that are interested in establishing a lasting presence in the UAE's burgeoning space sector, as opposed to merely seeking contracts.

Al Sayegh indicated that this strategy aims to parallel global trends in space exploration, such as NASA's transition from conducting in-house projects to outsourcing to private companies.

He remarked on the efficiencies such collaborations offer, stating, "Shifting the work and activities from the government to the private sector is faster and more efficient and provides better results."

Among the initiatives discussed was a tender for the Payload Hosting Initiative, aimed at fostering local capabilities to manage full space missions.

Al Sayegh noted that the UAE evaluates project costs both domestically and internationally, acknowledging that global partnerships are essential in the space industry.

He mentioned the country's commitment to collaborating internationally on projects ranging from satellite development to astronaut training, reflecting a worldwide interconnectedness in the space sector.

The conference also featured contributions from key figures including Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, director-general of the UAE Space Agency; Karim Sabbagh, managing director of Space42; and Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies, all of whom underscored the importance of the UAE Space Strategy 2030. This strategy intends to deliver competitive services within the space industry while enhancing local human capital and fostering international collaborations.

In related government initiatives, authorities in the UAE announced that starting July 1, they will begin verifying compliance with Emiratisation targets across private sector companies.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will assess whether firms are fulfilling obligations, which include registering Emirati employees with the social security fund and making necessary contributions.

For privately owned companies employing 50 or more individuals, a mandatory increase of at least 1 per cent in the number of Emiratis hired in skilled positions is required for the first half of 2025. Overall, firms are obligated to attain a total of 10 per cent Emiratisation across skilled roles by the end of 2026, necessitating annual increases of 2 per cent.

Non-compliance could lead to substantial fines for each Emirati position not filled.

The ministry reported that a digital inspection system has been instrumental in identifying fraudulent practices associated with Emiratisation, uncovering approximately 2,200 violations since mid-2022. As of April 2025, more than 136,000 Emiratis are reported to be employed in the private sector across 28,000 companies.

Farida Al Ali, MoHRE’s Assistant Undersecretary of National Talents, remarked on the robust performance of the labor market and the UAE’s swift economic growth, suggesting a positive outlook for companies aiming to meet Emiratisation targets.

The ministry plans to offer incentives, including financial discounts and priority access to government contracts, to firms achieving notable results in Emiratisation efforts.