BEIJING, NOV 4 (APP): The 17th Session of the China-Pakistan Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation concluded here on Friday with both the sides expressing satisfaction over implementation of various projects identified in the 16h Session and vowing to continue their cooperation in future.
Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar of Pakistan and Chinese Vice Minister for Science and Technology Cao Jianlin represented their respected countries. Ambassador Masood Khan also participated at the meeting.“We have very productive meeting with the officials of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology in which we have identified some projects that we would implement in Pakistan with the Chinese collaboration,” said Akhllaq Tarar while taking to APP after the meeting.These projects included exchange visits, study tours and Chinese assistance for different projects, he noted.
He said for effective implementation of these projects, a cell had been established in the Ministry of Science and Technology that would be responsible to pursue these plans.He said that a focal person would also be appointed at organizations that have submitted their projects so that all the targets are accomplished as per schedule.He said that he has informed the Chinese side that a presentation of new science policy has been given to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani which has been approved by him.Explaining few salient features of the science policy, Tarar said that emphasis has been laid on further strengthening and allocation of more funds for R&D; capacity building with young blood by sending them abroad to obtain modern training and replicate the same in Pakistan; there is need to ensure integration between our universities and research institutions: incorporating industries that need benefit from the R&D so that we could move towards commercialization of all products.
He said that one of the main pillors of the policy is the international collaboration, adding,”we can only develop our indigenous technology with the support of our friends around the world.”The Secretary Science said that at the meeting “we shared all these areas with the Chinese side as China is the only country from where we always got encouragements and today they also given us assurance.”He said that the present government was paying great attention to the development of Science and Technology sector and with the approval of new Sciences policy and allocation of more funds this sector would play a major role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
He said that two universities namely NUST and COMSATS would be made as hub for the development of Science and Technology, by upgrading and strengthening their laboratories. These higher learning institutions would provide world class facilities.He said the technology transfer in industrial sector would certainly play a major role in the economic prosperity of country.He said that the news policy would be implemented from this year.As regard the allocation of funds, he said that their allocation was 0.6 per cent of the GDP (gross domestic product), and by 2015 it would be scaled up to 1 per cnet and in 2020 to ½ or 2 per cent.This plan, he said had also been approved by the Prime Minister.Cineses Vice-Minister Cao Jianlin told APP that at the meeting 15 news projects were identified that included agriculture, energy including solar and wind energy, environment, Hi-Tech, etc.
He said that the introduction of LED lightening system would be suitable for countries like Pakistan that was facing energy crisis.Cao said that LED technology was environment friendly, saving energy if compared with the traditional lights as well, has long life in use.He said that though this technology was still in development phase, but it had bright future.“We are using LED lights in public facilities as it can usely be used in adverse climate conditions,” he observed.He said that another area of cooperation was the development of hybird seeds in which China was ready to cooperate with Pakistan.
Earlier, at the joint committee meeting, both the sides expressed satisfaction over the projects identified and implemented in the 16th Session.The Secretary Science and Technology said that like China, Pakistan was also a developing country, facing many challenges but at the same time paying great deal of attention toward Science and Technology for the rapid development.
He said that wind and solar energy would play a major role in future, therefore Pakistan would like to get benefit from China in this important area.Minister Cao said that China was ready to provide training in science and technology to Pakistani experts at all its facilities, including Hi-Tech Park.He said that the Chinese government had allocated 2.2 per cent of its GDP towards the development of Science and Technology.On the occasion, Secretary Science and Technology invited Minister Cao to visit Pakistan, which he accepted.- APP
