Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) should formulate and implement a plan to improve the number of international patents filed by Pakistanis and Pakistani organisations. It should recommend ways to increase investment in R & D as a percentage of GDP, said Arthur Bayhan, Chief Executive Officer of the Competitiveness Support Fund on Friday.
The CSF delegation made a special presentation to the Ministry of Science and Technology attended by Abdul Basit, Joint Secretary of the Prime Minister's Special Programme Wing, Ministry of Finance and Noor Aftab from the Board of Investment, says a press release.
"The ministry should also encourage practical linkages between industry and research institutes so that research investments result directly increased productivity. In this way, the current low indicators regarding patents and R & D expenditure will improve", said Bayhan.
The meeting was chaired by Pervez Butt, Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology. He informed the CSF delegation that the ministry is playing a crucial role to improve the competitiveness of the country. He also appreciated the contributions of USAID Pakistan for its role in promoting science and technology and its role in economic growth. He also told the CSF delegation that Pakistan needs indigenous industrialisation rather then the imported industrialisation.
The ministry of science and technology would like to seek assistance from the CSF on its recent studies on the motorcycle industry and the food safety and standards. He told the CSF delegation studies would help the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) in as case studies for capacity building purposes.