China Torch Center, a department of Ministry of Science and Technology here has agreed to help set up a high-tech park in Pakistan for economic development and industrialisation.
Initial negotiations were held between the two sides here, on the proposal put forth by Dr Atta ur Rehman, Minister for Science and Technology during his recent visit to China.
An official of Pakistan Embassy told newsman, the two sides would need to formally sign bilateral co-operation agreement to undertake the project. As a step forward, an expert-level team of China Torch Centre would visit Pakistan to hold a feasibility study.
He said such a park would be set up keeping in view the environment and market conditions of the country.
The Chinese side, he said, has agreed to help provide guidance and technical assistance for development of High tech Park that will consist of multiple heavy industrial networks.
The expert-level team will also suggest design and the required infrastructure of the park. It may be mentioned that the Capital Development Authority, Islamabad has already earmarked a site in 1-12 sector for the establishment of a high-tech industrial park
It was also agreed that the two parties would endeavour to promote transfer of know-how and exchange of information. In this context, the two parties will give full play to the guiding and co-ordinative role of the intergovernmental Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
According to the declaration, signed in Beijing by President Pervez Musharraf and the Chinese President Hu Jintao in November last year, they will also consider launching the negotiation and conclusion of a bilateral agreement on mutually issuing of ultimate consumer and end use certificate.
China is currently engaged in development of the high-tech parks in the country. A specific leading group composed by officials from various central government departments has been set up for making decisions on construction, policy formulation and system optimisation of the national-level high-tech industrial park.
According to the Chinese official, more than 24,000 high-tech programmes have been carried out over the past 15 years. Some of these programmes have resulted in patents for products such as high performance computers, large-scale digital switches, mobile container inspection systems and high definition televisions.