ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to strengthen itself in the field of biotechnology by securing assistance from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

The country’s minister for science and technology, Chaudhary Fawad Hussain, emphasized the need to enhance cooperation with the two Gulf states during his meeting with the UAE ambassador, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi, in Islamabad on Thursday.

The UAE envoy told the media that Pakistan wanted to set up a biotechnology park by collaborating with his country and Saudi Arabia.

He also acknowledged the minister’s efforts regarding the promotion of science and technology in Pakistan, saying he had assured Chaudhry of UAE’s full support and cooperation in the said scientific arena.

Biotechnology involves the use of living organisms and can help agricultural and medical sciences. It can also be utilized to make useful chemicals and other products or perform similar industrial tasks.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have significantly exceled in this area. According to some sources, the biotech industry in the Kingdom has reached a value of almost $45 billion. There has also been a huge increase in the pharmaceutical and biotech marketplace in the UAE.

Pakistan enjoys close relations with both Arab states and seeks to broaden them further by exploring this intellectual arena with them.