HYDERABAD, Feb 29: Pakistan has agreed to buy drugs and training material from Indian companies at an international biotechnology meeting, taking advantage of a recent thaw in relations between the two South Asian nuclear states.

The deals came at the end of the three-day conference on Saturday, which focused on how Asian nations could use genetic research to improve health care and boost their economies. Some 250 delegates from 25 countries attended the meeting.

The conference also provided an opportunity for making deals with 20 agreements signed, including three between private Indian companies and two Pakistani government agencies and one Pakistan- based firm.

Pakistani delegates agreed to buy anti-snake venom, anti- rabies vaccines and training material. An Indian company also said it would provide teachers to Pakistan's National Commission on Biotechnology.

Syed Uzairul Ghani, who heads a Pakistan-based company, said Pakistani and Indian firms were also discussing the transfer of technology that would enable Islamabad to manufacture hepatitis B vaccines.

"India has the technology needed by Pakistan. India is closer to us and very cost effective and if problems arise the solution will be easily available," he said. "In India and Pakistan we have similar diseases, people have the same chemistry and the solutions and cures which work for Indian patients would be effective for Pakistanis too." -APP