Pakistan to focus specially on technology transfer in future deals

Move will clear the way for knowledge-based economy, increase in exports

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to make transfer of technology a vital part of all future agreements with foreign partners including China in an attempt to ensure a technology-based economy and give a boost to dwindling exports.

The government feels that no attention has been paid to the transfer of technology in previous agreements. Now, the technology would be given due importance in all future agreements and directives would be issued to all the relevant ministries and divisions in that regard, sources told The Express Tribune.

In a recent meeting of the cabinet, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed that in all deals with foreign countries including close trade partner China, the Pakistan government should make conscious efforts to ensure that the provisions contained in the agreements adequately provided for the transfer of technology to Pakistan.

The issue also came up for discussion during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and China for deepening cooperation in the field of geosciences.

The cabinet was informed that the Geological Survey of Pakistan had signed the MoU with the China Geological Survey on July 6, 2010 with a three-year validity. Long after the expiry of the agreement, a meeting took place between the vice minister of the China Geological Survey, the chief of naval staff and Pakistan Ambassador to China Dr Masood Khalid on April 17, 2018.

Following that, a draft MoU was proposed for expanding cooperation between the two sides in the field of geosciences. The scope of the proposed MoU was quite vast. The Geological Survey of Pakistan made some amendments to define the scope precisely and the sphere of their activity and mandate. An amended draft of the MoU was sent to the Law and Justice Division for review.

After incorporating the amendments suggested by the Law Division, the draft MoU was examined and cleared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the political point of view. The prime minister directed that besides technology transfer, skill development of youth should also be focused while agreeing to terms of agreements with foreign countries. It was agreed that the Cabinet Division would advise all ministries and divisions in that regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2018.

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