SOUTH-EAST Asia’s star could rise even further with the harnessing of data from eyes in the sky.
By 2030, increased adoption of Earth observation data from satellites and sensors is projected to contribute a cumulative US$100 billion to the region’s gross domestic product, noted a recent report by non-profit Singapore Space & Technology and professional-services firm Deloitte. The paper, part of a three-year collaboration between the two parties, was launched on Feb 11, ahead of the space organisation’s Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition to be held from Wednesday (Feb 26) to Thursday at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
By 2030, the value-add of such Earth observation data to the South-east Asian economy is estimated to triple to US$45 billion per year, from US$15 billion today.
Applications include flood monitoring, deforestation tracking, urban planning and sustainable agriculture – and the region’s tropical forests, coastlines and densely populated urban areas make it an ideal hub for such innovation, said the study.
Identified as the biggest winners are the agricultural industry and the mining, oil and gas sector. In turn, countries with large primary industries are set to derive the most benefit.
Space race
Indonesia is expected to reap the largest share – about half of these economic gains – among its regional peers on account of its extensive agricultural and natural resource sectors, noted the paper.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 8.30 am
Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia’s fast-growing economies.
The archipelagic country has a lengthy space legacy: In 1963, it became the first South-east Asian country to establish a space agency; it was also the region’s first to operate a satellite exclusively for domestic use, noted the report.
It highlighted that Indonesia’s broader space ecosystem is underpinned by the government’s supportive regulatory framework and openness to foreign investment.
Specifically, Earth observation data could be used in South-east Asia’s largest economy to support mining operations, improve crop yield, detect illegal fishing, spot algal blooms, and optimise route efficiency for its logistics and transportation sectors.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand will also see substantial benefits, though the gains are expected to be more uniformly distributed among them.
In rapidly urbanising Vietnam, space technology can help identify trends in population size and density or congestion hotspots. The data can also be used in the aviation industry to predict weather conditions, detect drones and future-proof airports. Disaster-prone Philippines has used Earth observation extensively for emergency management, climate resilience, food security and to bridge the digital divide, the paper also noted.
Satellite imagery can help Malaysia in detecting oil spills and methane leaks in the oil and gas industry, which is a major pillar of the country’s economic strategy, noted the report. It can also be used in the real-estate sector to monitor construction progress off-site.
Tourism-reliant Thailand can leverage satellite-derived data to monitor its coral reefs and enhance marine conservation efforts. The kingdom can also track fossil-fuel emissions and identify optimal sites for solar and wind farms to meet its renewable energy goals.
Even Singapore stands to gain significant benefits, despite its small landmass and lower level of primary industry, the study said. The city-state is expected to reap indirect value through capital investment, by being a solutions provider to firms around the region and as the tech hub of multinationals headquartered there.
Notably, Earth observation data has been used in Singapore’s sustainable finance scene in the carbon market, for example, to ensure carbon credits are verified with transparent environmental benchmarks, said the report.
“By focusing its efforts on launching small satellites, investing in advanced space technology research and development, and fostering private sector innovation, the city-state is carving out a niche on the global stage,” it added.
