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More than 80
projects in biotechnology identified: Pak-China cooperation
 KARACHI-A four-member high-level Chinese delegation, led by
vice president, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. Yang
Bailing, has selected 83 different projects in the field of
health, agriculture and industrial biotechnology in Pakistan
to enhance cooperation between the two countries, said
Chairman, National Commission on Biotechnology Dr. Anwar Nasim.
Talking to PPI here on Friday, he added that the Chinese
delegation had visited the country on Feb 25, and held
detailed meetings with the minister for science and technology
Dr. Attaur Rehman, scientists and officials of the ministry
before leaving for their country.
"The visiting delegation has also agreed to exchange microbial
culture to enhance the country's capability in fermentation
technology", he informed, adding the delegation also
recommended to organise a joint symposia on an annual basis.
Elucidating the details of Chinese scientists' visit, Dr.
Nasim informed that they have presented them 39 projects in
the field of agriculture biotechnology, 14 in health and 30
projects in the field of industrial biotechnology.
"Chinese delegation visited the country as part of Pak-China
Joint Research Project, initiated after both the countries
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during President
General Pervaiz Musharraf's last visit to China", he said.
Dr. Nasim, who is also Advisor Science to OIC Standing
Committee on Science and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH),
said the visiting delegation held talks to enhance
collaboration for human resource development, strengthening
research institutions and to seek the ways and means to
commercialize their products by involving private sector.
"We had already asked all our research institutions to prepare
and submit their research projects in fields of biotechnology,
keeping in view Chinese collaboration", he said, adding that
it would help the country at least in developing human
resource.
He informed that the Chinese scientists have also proposed to
form a working organization group involving scientists from
both sides after consultation with concerned authorities. The
CAS has also agreed to set aside a fund to organize symposiums
in the field of biotechnology in China, he informed.
The Chinese delegation has also proposed to sign a MoU between
CAS and PAEC to build-up and strengthen a long-term framework
for joint research programs and academic exchanges in
biotechnology. "They have asked us to enhance collaboration on
cotton genome research and transgenic crops for stress
tolerance and requested us to submit related proposals to CAS,
the MOST of China and NSFC", he revealed.
Chinese scientists aspiring to expertise in Pakistani
biotechnology research and development would also visit
Pakistan to get themselves trained in related field and
technology. To enhance possibility of technology transfer
between the two countries, China would encourage enterprises
affiliated with CAS to search for potential Pakistani partners
to develop joint ventures, he maintained.
The government has earmarked Rs200 million, which would be
provided to recently established National Commission on
Biotechnology before the end of current fiscal year till June,
he said, admitting that they have yet to convene its first
formal meeting.
"Red-tape is causing hindrance for us in preparation of a
national action plan and national policy on biotechnology as
first installment of Rs. 38 million announced by the Ministry
has not been received as yet", he regretted but hoped they
would definitely make an announcement till March 2002 in this
regard.-PPI
courtesy Daily Dawn, 20
April, 2002
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Pakissan.com;
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