ISLAMABAD, April 17: The Ministry of Science and Technology has approved 27 projects under the Science Technology for Economic Development (STED) programme.

The ministry in a statement issued here on Wednesday said under the programme, production plants and industrial unit based on research and development would be set up.

The STED is one of the major programmes launched by the ministry to boost national development and raise gross domestic product (GDP). Its objectives include strengthening the scientific and technological base of the country, and creating a better technology-oriented environment by providing opportunities to scientists, entrepreneurs etc. in public and private sectors.

The implementation of the programme is likely to set up trend for production of commercially viable products, import substitution and export enhancement in many cases. It will also stimulate technological advancement and promote self-reliance.

Under the programme, joint projects have been initiated on public-private sector collaboration basis.

Mainly the research and development institutions in public sector are collaborating with industrial units in private sector for the production of value-added goods.

The public-private sector partnership is on 75-25 per cent contribution basis.

The programme was widely advertized in the press. Originally, 820 projects had been submitted to the ministry, which were approved after a review by a committee of experts. The economic feasibility of each project was carefully scrutinized. Each project had to pass many stages before getting the final approval.

The ministry has approved only those projects that involve application of existing internationally accepted technologies for rapid economic growth and commercial orientation. The scope of the projects includes technology development as well as pilot- plan level studies to demonstrate commercial viability of potential investors.

The important projects approved so far are: development of a boom sprayer for effective application of pesticides on cotton crop; development of automatic dye baths for textile industries; integrated control of viral diseases of tomato in Malakand Division; development of low-cost laboratory equipment and commercialization; production of dried fruits; development of maize hybrids from the indigenous maize germplasm source; mass rearing and release of beneficial insects to control pests of cotton and sugarcane; produce export quality cut flowers; utilization of local graphite raw material for making value-added products; studies on domestication and cultivation of medicinal herbs in Azad Kashmir; establishment of facilities for rubber technology.