Cornerstone: Science and technology policy approved

Policy proposes allocation of 2% of GDP by 2020 to focus on sciences as critical areas demanding economic development.

ISLAMABAD:


Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday gave, in principle, approval to National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2011 which will serve as a cornerstone in the country’s socio-economic development.



The policy, which will now be presented to the cabinet, proposes allocation of at least one per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2015 and two per cent by 2020 to focus on environmental sciences, bio-technology, energy, water, minerals, ocean sciences and engineering as critical areas demanding priority in economic development.

The approval came following a presentation by the Ministry of Science and Technology and Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) to the prime minister.

The new policy has been prepared after a gap of 16 years, keeping in view recent trends in science and technology.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st,  2011.
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