PCSIR 'Image Pakistan-2005' expo: 'private sector to be involved in local marketing technologies'

The private sector would be fully involved in marketing of indigenous technologies and products. This was stated by Federal Science and Technology Minister Chaudhry Nauraiz Shakoor during his visit to the stalls established at the industrial exhibition, 'Image Pakistan - 2005', organised by the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) at the Madina Town Hockey Stadium. He said the PCSIR and other public sector scientific and research organisations performed well and developed world-class technologies.
The minister said the private sector could not exploit the potential of these technologies, and now the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research had decided to hold a series of exhibitions to create awareness among the private sector to fully exploit the available potential for an expeditious industrial development of the country.
He said that Pakistan had the potential to manufacture and fabricate European quality products at the cost of China, and urged the private sector to avail the available opportunities.
Nauraiz Shakoor said the government was ready to start joint ventures with the private sector to strengthen the scientific and technical base in the country, adding that Ecnec, in its recent meeting, decided to fully concentrate on the promotion of scientific and technical education during the next five-year development plan (2005-2010).
He said the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research would adopt measures for value-addition, and the training would be provided in three innovative fields of dyes and medicines, industrial electronics and leather technology.
Eulogising scientific contribution of Faisalabad, he assured that the government would give a serious thought to award a status of 'Science City' to Faisalabad.
Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Chairman Dr Anwarul Haq said that the Council had so far developed 1,480 products and technologies, 1,100 out of which were assimilated by small and medium enterprises, adding the PCSIR had 480 patent, which had economic viability, and could be marketed without any unnecessary delay.
He said the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was also considering a proposal to set up training institutes at the proposed Value Addition City and Faisalabad Textile City, adding these institutes would cater to the futuristic need of technically-trained manpower for the local hi-tech industry.
Shabbir A Bhutta, the secretary, Exhibition PCSIR, 'Image Pakistan', said that his organisation had already arranged three exhibitions in Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi and that this was the fourth at Faisalabad.
He said that such exhibitions would also be arranged in Multan, Quetta and Sukkur to involve the private sector in these areas.
Earlier, the minister visited various stalls and appreciated the quality of locally manufactured products.
Dr Anwarul Haq also presented a shield of Exhibition to Nauraiz Shakoor.