The Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Shafi-Resco-Chemical and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday for "industrial production of citric acid through fermentation of molasses".
PSF chairman Dr Farid A. Malik, Dr Mukhtar Malik from Shafi-Resco-Chemical and Abrar Ahmed from PAEC. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Farid A. Malik said citric acid is one of the most commonly used organic acids in the world and its use is growing.
The current demand of citric acid in Pakistan is 30,000 metric tons annually, which is being met by spending Rs 100 million on its import, he added.
He said keeping in view economic importance of this vital commodity, self-indigenisation and marketing of its production is a prerequisite to become self-reliant.
He further said the PSF is actively involved in promoting the concept of applied research under its industrial linkage programme and appreciated keen interest shown by the private sector in this regard.
Dr Farid highlighted that the PSF has launched about 50 projects under linkage programmes that would result in socio-economic development, employment generation and poverty alleviation in the country.
Pakistan needs to commercialise its research work and technology, as there are about 200 standard research centres in the country, he added.
He emphasised on the public-private partnership to materialise research opportunities in the country.
Dr Farid pointed out that science and technology has a paramount importance to gain basic need without which concept of development is incomplete in the present time.