Arab scientists hold session, Morocco increases science funding

The Union of Arab scientific research councils opened in Rabat Tuesday the works of its 23rd session.

Minister of higher education and scientific research Najib Zerouali hailed in his opening address importance granted by the union to ever-consolidating ties between Arab scientific research institutions and production sectors before highlighting Moroccan policy aimed at striking genuine and efficient partnership between the two realms.

Morocco which injects $ 100 million annually in scientific and technical research earmarked an extra $60 million in its 2000-2004 development plan for specific projects such as the setting up of a scientific information national institute.

The union secretary-general Taha N'aimi underscored the leading role of the kingdom in the union which was set up in Rabat in 1976 and listed major achievements such as the working out of three-dimensional plans for Arab development and issue of scientific thematic magazines.