Minister of Scientific Research Nadia Zakhari said that the ministry considers boosting scientific cooperation between Egypt and Sudan in the area of research studies and projects with common interest to both countries.

During a meeting with her Sudanese counterpart, Zakhari stressed the importance of opening areas of research cooperation between the two countries.

On the other hand, Zakhari said that Egypt will make contracts with the government of South Africa to launch seven projects in 2013.

"On the threshold of 2013, the ministry will sign contracts with South Africa to establish seven projects in the scientific research domain with net capital worth 1.4 million pounds," Zakhari said.

The minister noted that the two sides will set up a joint network for communication between scientists in Egypt and South Africa.

The projects will cover the domains of biotechnology, laser science, nanotechnology, and remote sensing, energy, space sciences as well as information and communications technology.

"In a two-day workshop held in Cairo, the two sides discussed prioritizing fields of cooperation and studying offers provided by the two countries," the minister added.