GILGIT: Speakers at a conference here on Thursday called for use of modern technology to ensure sustainable development and get benefitted from natural resources of the region.

The two-day international conference titled ‘collective action for knowledge economy with technology (DigiCAKE)’ was held at Karakoram International University.

GB Assembly Deputy Speaker Advocate Nazir Ahmed, Senior Minister Ubaidullah Baig, Finance Minister Javed Manwa, KIU Vice-chancellor Attaullah Shah, faculty members, students and experts attended the conference.

Former health minister of Norway Werner Chrisie and other experts from different countries participated in the conference through video link.

The speakers called for use of modern technology for sustainable development and getting benefits from natural resources of the region.

“I hope that research and discourses shared at this conference will help us to promote technology-based learning and use technology for socio-economic uplift of our people,” said Advocate Nazir Ahmed.

He said that government would facilitate every effort for promotion of latest technology in all sectors for enhancing efficiency and productivity as well as for creating economic opportunities.

Speaking on the occasion, Javed Ali Manwa said that knowledge-based economy was developing across the globe. He said that GB lacked expertise to benefit from natural resources.

He said that collective efforts were needed to develop knowledge-based economy in the region. He said internet was basic requirement for knowledge-based economy.

The finance minister said that government was taking steps to provide fast internet connections to people and was encouraging public-private partnership.

KIU Vice-chancellor Attaullah Shah said that GB had huge potential of natural resources. “Natural resources in GB need to be explored and tapped for economic development of locals with the help of modern technology,” he added.

He said that they were trying to use technology for tapping natural resources.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2021