Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid observed that the program of Horizon 2020 offers great enhanced cooperation the field of science and technology between Pakistan and the European Union and improved access to knowledge-based international markets.
If the opportunities offered by the program were properly availed and a strong research and technological base established, it would have a beneficial and salutary effect on efforts to take advantage of opportunities offered by GSP plus.
This was the reason Horizon 2020 was being termed as a bridge of science between the EU and Pakistan, the minister viewed.
Addressing a seminar as chief guest at an awareness seminar on European Union’s (EU) Research and Innovation Program Horizon 2020 organised jointly by National University of Science and Technology and EU Friday morning.
Hamid said this year relations between Pakistan-EU received a huge boost as a result of the coming into force of special trade preferences for Pakistan under the GSP plus regime.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Ministry of Science and Technology was implementing the new priorities of the government as set out in PML-N Manifesto.
In Science and Technology sector, it has been proposed to formulate a holistic strategy focusing on rapid development of human resources and providing for improved communication and coordination among the S&T, Information and Communication Technology and other sectors of socio-economic development, the minister added.
Besides this establishment of “Innovation Incubators” at each major institution of S&T and “Technology Clusters” in major cities which also include technology parks.
In addition to traditional fields of S&T, the manifesto envisages a paradigm shift to research and development in emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, biotechnology and fuel cell technology, renewable energy technologies and satellite technology and their strategic exploitation through commercialisation.
