adminBrighton Gumbo Business Reporter
THE National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) has called on the need to adopt emerging technologies to promote socio-economic transformation in the country.
Addressing delegates during the inaugural Research and Intellectual Expo in Bulawayo yesterday, NBAZ registrar and chief executive officer Jonathan Mufandaedza said there was need for the country to move with time so that funding for academic research projects could be attracted.
“Let’s have an introspection and say we’re moving the technological root so that we remain relevant to other markets for our socio-economic growth,” he said.
He said technologies were essential for the stimulation of the local industrial sector growth and to address the challenges facing the economic blueprint, Zim-Asset.
Mufandaedza said the government needs people to get engaged in science and technology thus it was mandatory for researchers and intellectuals to take it to the people.
“Those that are in comfort zones need to move out and adopt these first generation technologies because our country is missing out a lot of business as a result of failing to adapt,” he said.
“Staying on top of technological trends is essential for the economic and social growth.”
He said local academics and researchers need to embark on relevant projects to facilitate securing funds for research projects.
“Funding is there but our researchers propose irrelevant projects to the country’s humanitarian values and needs, which is why funding is never availed to them,” said Mufandaedza.
He said the countries that have invested in technologies’ economies were growing at a faster rate as a result of the new inventions.
He said technologies enable the country to walk the talk as people would be able to pick out the positive social and economic impact of the emerging technologies to their livelihoods.
Mufandaedza said it was imperative for NBAZ and other relevant authorities to manage the technologies coming into the country as a safety measure to ensure people’s lives were not exposed to danger from imported technologies.
Online Reporter