Global body selects TechnoPark as its Mena representative

Dubai: TechnoPark, the science and technology facilitator of Economics Zones World yesterday said, the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (Waitro) Executive Committee has unanimously chosen TechnoPark to serve as the organisation's Regional Focal Point (RFP) for the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Region from July 2008 to June 2010.

Dieter Fuchs, President and Chairman of Waitro, said, "This also provides an opportunity to others members, mainly within the Mena Region to get involved and play an important role in supplementing their businesses by sustainable local capacity building, educational and research and technology oriented measures for the benefit of the partners."

This new development comes close on the heels of a recent agreement formed between both parties. Earlier this year, TechnoPark signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Waitro, on the establishment of a structured framework for close interaction and initiatives with Waitro member organisations in a broad spectrum of industry-oriented services and projects.

In its role as Mena Regional Focal Point, Techno-Park's main responsibilities will be to determine the region's needs and initiate strategies and plans to make it a more technology focused area.

Growth

Hamad Al Hashemi, managing director, TechnoPark, said, "In our capacity as the RFP for this region, we hope to encourage, facilitate, and open channels for application-oriented scientific research, building sustainable local capacity and ultimately furthering economic growth within the region."

"Our aim is to develop TechnoPark not only as the core scientific business incubator of the entire region but also a vital centre that can be relied on for its cutting-edge R&D [research and development] services that promote long-term sustainable development in neighbouring countries," he added.