The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) announced that the Neo Space Group won the competition for obtaining a permit to provide Earth-observation (EO) platform service. The service seeks to create the appropriate environment to enable the private sector to establish and develop EO services and emerging businesses therein, and to stimulate its contribution to the Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) through the development of value-added space products. CST clarified that the permit allows the establishing and operating of an electronic platform for collecting and processing EO data received from satellites such as images of the Earth's natural terrain, environmental pollution, and weather. In addition, the platform will act as a market and digital enabler and will establish links between EO data providers and value-added service providers who aim to develop and process data to transform it into value-added space programs and products. Moreover, it will enable beneficiaries from public a nd private sectors to obtain processed EO data, serving various applications in different sectors such as agriculture, environment, logistics, urban planning, and more. CST issued the "Request for Permit to Provide EO Platform Services" document in April, and it invited all those wishing to obtain the permit to submit their applications before the July 7 deadline. CST evaluated the applications and selected the Neo Space Group as the qualified applicant in accordance with the specified evaluation criteria in the document. The EO platform initiative is part of CST's efforts to enable space activities, encourage investments in the space sector, and enhance Saudi Arabia's global position. Source: Saudi Press Agency