ISLAMABAD, March 24: The Organization of Islamic Conference Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech) has provided $503,844 to 20 member countries for 51 research projects, including $35,750 to Pakistan.

The amount has been provided under the Comstech and International Foundation for Science (IFS) collaborative programme of financial support for small research projects, sources said.

They said the countries provided grant under the programme were: Benin, $19,900; Burkina Faso, $33,700; Bangladesh, 19,250; Cameron, 31,400; Egypt, $34,500; Gambia, $11,534; Indonesia, $36,500; Iran, $11,900; Malaysia, 33,100; Mali, $10,000; Mauritania, $12,000; Morocco, 42,500; Nigeria, $46,900; Pakistan, $35,750; Senegal, $13,540; Sudan, $20,800; Sierra Leone, $23,920; Togo, $11,650; Tunisia, $28,800; and Uganda, $26,200.

The sources said Comstech had for the first time conducted a joint activity with the IFS that brought in largely European funds for the support of scientific research in the OIC countries.

The objective of the IFS is to contribute to the strengthening of capacity in developing countries to conduct relevant and high quality research on the management, use and conservation of biological resources and the environment.

The sources said by joining hands with the IFS, Comstech would not only invest its funds in research in the OIC countries and get matching grants from the IFS, doubling the amount of project support.

They said the programme was restricted to aquatic resources, animal production, crop science, forestry, agro-forestry, food science and natural products.—APP