July 24, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13,1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 23: Science and Technology Minister Prof Attaur Rahman on Monday conveyed to Syrian President Bashar Al Asad in Damascus a message of President Gen Pervez Musharraf about setting up of a fund for scientific and technological research in the Muslim world.

The Syrian president expressed his support for the proposal and appreciated the initiatives taken by Pakistan for scientific and technological development of the Muslim world, according to a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Prof Rahman said only science and technology could provide a basis for sustainable economic development.

#MOU SIGNED:# Pakistan and Syria on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding in Damascus for cooperation in biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, distance learning programmes and marine sciences, the press release added.

Prof Rahman and Syrian higher education minister signed the MoU.

It was decided that the countries would work on joint projects in the fields.

During the next two weeks, Pakistani scientists will visit Syria while two pharmacists and two professionals of Syrian virtual university will visit Pakistan subsequently to identify joint projects.

The two countries agreed to set up a $1 million revolving fund for joint projects in the fields with equal contribution on the pattern of Pakistan-China and Pakistan-Kazakhstan funds.

Prof Rahman also visited virtual university of Syria.