February 27, 2002
‘13’
INDIA TO HELP SUDAN SET UP ELECTRONIC CITY
India and Sudan signed here last night an inter-governmental agreement on Science and Technology, paving the way for enhancing mutual scientific cooperation. The agreement followed formal talks between the visiting Sudanese delegation headed by its Minister for Science and Technology Prof. Alzubair Bashir Taha, and the Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. The agreement among other things provides for formulation and implementation of scientific and technical research programmes and their application in industry and agriculture.
Sudan sought India’s assistance in Electronics, information technology, application of biotechnology in agriculture and health care, material sciences, remote sensing, disaster management and in particular building up institutions and infrastructure to enhance its science and tech capability. Some of the areas identified for immediate cooperation include setting up of a big electronic city, vaccines for malaria, leprosy and Hepatitis B, diagnostic kits for various diseases especially HIV, joint venture in leather and solar panels, renewable sources of energy, manufacture of SIMPUTER (Small Hand-held Computer) and food security.
The Sudanese Minister told Dr. Joshi that he is very impressed by the advancements made by India in various fields and his country can benefit a lot from mutual cooperation with India. Dr. Joshi told Prof. Al Bashir Taha that India values South-South cooperation and only through this we can fight the ill-effects of globalisation. He appreciated Sudan for supporting India, for a permanent seat in the Security Council and in the fight against terrorism. Both the leaders expressed the confidence that the agreement will go a long way in strengthening mutual ties between the two countries.