Pakistan endorses China’s ‘technology transfer’ proposal

China to provide $ one million to each country for setting up South Asia science and technology centers

In a major breakthrough, China, the world leader in modern technology, has offered its neighbours an unprecedented technology transfer agreement, especially with Pakistan, which may usher into the rapid economic boosting due to the development of modern technology and infrastructure in South Asia region.

The proposal was raised by Chinese government with the ministers of science and technology of the South Asian states at the inaugural ceremony of the South Asia Technology Transfer moot held at Kunming, China, on the sidelines of the second China-South Asia Exposition held from June 7-10.

‘Technology transfer’ is a process by which technology, knowledge, skills and manufacturing methodologies are transferred from one country or company to another. This transfer occurs from a technologically advanced economy to another emerging economy which is striving to move up the manufacturing value-chain.

The technology transfer would be made by promoting specific industries, supporting companies which use globally-competitive technologies and facilitating joint ventures between foreign and Chinese companies where technology transfer is involved. The support often comes in the form of subsidies, easy access to capital, tax exemptions and loans on favourable terms, preferential access to market, implicit government backing in case of loan defaults, preferential treatment in bidding for government contracts, etc.

When contacted, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid, confirmed while talking to Pakistan Today that the proposal was raised by Chinese science and technology minister during his meeting with his counterparts on the sidelines of the China-South Asian expo, stating that it would be leapfrog in economic and technological fields for the developing countries like Pakistan.

“Under the proposal made by China, a South Asia Science and TechnologyCenter would be set up in each South Asian country. Pakistan has supported the idea. As per the proposal, China would provide one million dollars to Pakistan and other member states for setting up the center and research laboratories for technology transfer and development,” added Zahid Hamid who attended the second China-South Asia Expo in Kunming.

He said that the Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Yang also had assured the member states in his opening remarks at the China-South Asia expo that China was ready to transfer technology to South Asian countries.

“Mr Wang said China will also cooperate in mega infrastructure projects that include energy, technology and road through build-operate-transfer or public-private-partnership,” Mr Hamid added. He said under the technology transfer proposal, greater cooperation would be enhanced by China with the member states in the fields of telecommunications, agriculture, trade, railways, industry and infrastructure building. He said that China also aimed at technology transfer and scientific research and joint labs would be established besides providing training to the scientists of South Asia and South East Asia countries.

Hamid added that China had also agreed to provide funds to support Pakistan’s maritime research center to be set up at Karachi which was in advanced stage and land had been acquired for the center.

China has made significant advancement in modern technology and the Asian giant has single-handedly has swept away the world technology market. During the past decade or so, China has developed high speed train manufacturing sector besides developing a high speed rail network across the country. China has also become one of the largest manufacturers of high speed trains in the world.

Though a few years back, Japanese bullet trains were termed as the word’s high speed trains but the situation has changed now in China’s favour and now China is manufacturing high speed trains for domestic use at a rapid pace, exporting it to countries like Turkey and planning vast projects across Southeast Asia.