ISLAMABAD: Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain on Saturday said that multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will help further promote cooperation between the two countries in the realm of science and technology. Speaking at a meeting of Pak-China Science and Technology committee in Islamabad, the Minister said, “Both Pakistan and China enjoy excellent relations.” He expressed the confidence that, “CPEC will further augment these relations and create job opportunities in different sectors.” Rana Tanveer Hussain said, “The government has enhanced budget for research activities as part of efforts to promote science and technology in the country. The development of local industries and capacity building of the human resource is our key priority in the wake of establishment of industrial zones under the CPEC.” He said, “The Corridor project has also necessitated the strengthening of linkages between academia and industries for which the revitalization of universities is being focused so they can serve as breeding grounds for innovative ideas in scientific and industrial technology. Advances in science and technology are imperative for development of a knowledge based economy.” He highlighted the main ventures of collaboration between the two countries including the Pak-China Joint Marine Research Centre at Karachi, Pak-China Joint Laboratory on Biotechnology and China-south Asia Technology Transfer Centre. He added that, “Development programs between Pakistan Science Foundation and National Science Foundation of China and cooperation in Disaster Prevention and Mitigation by Chinese Academy of Sciences are also part of joint efforts in the field.” Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Minister for Science and Technology Wan Gang said, “The two countries enjoy all weather friendship and the current leadership of the two countries have taken this friendship to new heights in diverse fields.” He said, “People to people cooperation and establishment of joint research centres and laboratories are our top priorities.” The two countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Joint Research Program and the Protocol of the 18th session of Joint Committee in the concluding session this evening. Published in Daily Times, July 9th , 2017.