Dubai-based Space Imaging Middle East (SIME) was awarded a contract to deliver a full-country map of Lebanon using the Ikonos imagery satellite, the company announced. The satellite images were collected in 2005 and will be used to update maps of Lebanon.

Funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Growth, the project is managed by the Lebanese Ministry of Administrative Development under the direction of the Directorate of Geographic Affairs at the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. SIME won the contract in collaboration with its Lebanese business partner, Bureau Stephan.

SIME will also help the directorate staff to integrate imagery with their existing information system and provide technical support and training.