ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought Brazilian support to develop ethanol as fuel and in the chemical sector as Brazil has an advanced ethanol producing technology with 100 per cent consumption of ethanol in the vehicles for last 20 years.

Aziz Ahmad Bilour, Federal Secretary Ministry of Industries (MoI), said that the government wanted to seek support of the Brazilian government for transfer of knowledge and technology to enhance quality and productivity of ethanol.

The ministry of industries (MoI) has also asked the Brazilian government and private sector to extend cooperation to automotive industry in Pakistan to manufacture Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) using hydrous alcohol locally.

These observations were made by Mr Bilour in a meeting with a Brazilian delegation which comprised Bruno de Amorim Maciel, project analyst Brazilian Cooperation Agency-ABC, Gabriel Alves Maciel, Expert on Genetic Enhancement, Vanildo Alberto Leal Bezerra Cavalcanti, Expert on Phytopathology and Minucio Monteiro Filho, Expert on Technical Assistance and Rural Extension.

It was also suggested by the ministry to have joint ventures with Brazilian companies for developing and marketing other products of ethanol in Pakistan and in the international market.

Feasibility for diversification of ethanol use in the manufacture of Alco-chemicals and other sectors aside from transportation was also sought.

Representing the visiting delegation, Mr Bruno said that there was a great potential for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of ethanol production, renewable energy, hybrid seed production, off-season vegetable production, bio-fuel, resource conservation and pest control technology.