At the concluding session of the Fourth International Plant Tissue Culture Conference held on the 3rd of November, 2001 under the Chairmanship of Professor Syed Hadiuzzaman, the following recommendations were adopted unanimously.

1. In view of the acute shortage of scientists in various fields of plant molecular biology, it is recommended that international institutions such as ICGEB, the British Council, UNESCO, German Academic Exchange Programme (DAAD), German Foundation for International Development (DSE) be approached to arrange both short term and long term training for young scientists working in various universities and research institutes including non government organizations (NGO).

2. In view of the fact that there is no provision in the project proposal to support any research activity until the completion of National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB)  building at Savar, it is recommended that the S&T Ministry organize a workshop to discuss in detail priority areas of national  importance in which research should be undertaken without further loss of time. In addition to local scientists, science editors of newspapers, science administrators, policy makers, bankers and international experts in the areas of national interest be invited to take part in the workshop. UNESCO, ISESCO, COMSTECH, GTZ, DSE and FAO may be approached to sponsor the travel of foreign scientists to this workshop. 

Once the priority areas are fixed, proposals be invited from concerned experts on the selected areas. Sufficient funds should be allocated by S&T Ministry to run such selected projects so that the objectives of NIB are realized before the Institute is commissioned. Once the labs in NIB are in operation, such schemes will be transferred there forthwith along with NIB-funded equipment and scientific staff. 

3.  In  view of  lack of laboratory facilities, Bangladeshi scientists after completion of their Ph.D fail to publish standard papers to compete with their counterparts, within the time limit prescribed by ICGEB,  it is recommended that age limit for Bangladeshi scientists to apply for a post- doctoral fellowship be relaxed up to 45 years of age. 

4.   Recognizing the fact that funds from the Annual Development Budget for projects are made available shortly before the end of the financial year, and that purchase of material, chemicals and equipment is not possible within 30th of June, it is recommended that once the fund is sanctioned for a particular project, it should not lapse until the end of the next calendar year and necessary approval to that end be obtained from the finance department.  

5. Recognizing the fact that there is duplication of research work due to lack of communication between the scientists of different research institutions and universities, it is recommended that BAPTC with the direct support from different Ministries (Ministry of S&T, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Forests & Environment etc.) arranges a number of meetings at different venues on a particular topic such as on micropropagation of (a) banana, (b) potato, (c) orchid, (d) ornamentals (e) cash crops (f) fruit trees (g) genetic transformation etc. Decision on the venue and the date of such meetings may be decided later. The outcome of such meetings will also ensure better co-ordination and fruitful collaboration between scientists belonging to different organizations.  

6.  In view of the all round success of the fourth International Tissue Culture Conference in terms of participation of foreign and local scientists, quality of papers and posters presented, it is recommended that such conferences be a regular feature of BAPTC and that it is held every third year.  

7. In view of the importance of the private sector in generating economy for the country, it is recommended that established, tissue culture-based companies are  given all kinds of encouragement in terms of  granting them adequate loan on a low interest rate and tax holiday. Such encouragement will enable some of these companies to export their produce in the foreseeable future. 

8. Universities should establish commercial liaison centers in related departments where a technique or protocol or theory has been developed, which may have potential commercial applications. The function of the center would be to interface with interested commercial companies or individuals who would like to develop the established technique for commercial use.  

9. The Government  of Bangladesh should be convinced to set up scale-up/training facilities for technologies which have been established in the laboratory, have major commercial benefits but  are not being made into commercial ventures because entrepreneurs lack conviction that the laboratory technique can be scaled up and be commercially viable. 

10. In spite of the fact that the tax money that individual scientists pay towards importing chemicals and appliances is reimbursed, they find it difficult to pay the amount initially from their small budget, it is recommended that the procedure of advancement payment of tax be waived or advance funds be arranged to release perishable chemicals to promote scientific research at individual level be simplified.  

11. In view of the importance of molecular biology and biotechnology, the conference delegates reiterate their previous recommendation that the Ministry of Science and Technology be headed by a full minister and that a department under the title of Biotechnolgy headed by a secretary be created without further delay.  

12. Welcoming the move of USDA to create an endowment with the PL480 fund for supporting research projects, it is recommended that S&T Ministry treat the proposal on a priority basis in order to give it a quick start.  

13.  Realizing that periodical embargo on filling up the post of subordinate scientific staff hampers considerably the progress of ongoing research projects, it is recommended that as far as the research institutions and universities are concerned, the embargo should not apply. 

14. Recognizing the urgent need for proper maintenance of expensive and sensitive instruments (such as low temperature refrigerators, PCR machines etc) recently acquired in a number of molecular biology labs, it is recommended that standby generators be made available as a part of equipment in major labs of the country. The proper upkeep of the costly equipment will far outweigh the expenses to be incurred to buy, install and keep running standby generators. Post for an engineer attached to the universities/institutes should be created. The job description of the engineer will be to look after and maintain the above expensive equipment. The engineer can circulate among different departments.  

15. Realizing the importance of online search for scientific literature through Internet and high cost of purchase of scientific journal, it is recommended that all major labs of the country be provided with extra funds in addition to grant-in-aid sanctioned for research  in order to access such facility through the Internet. Availability of BROAD BAND will minimize Internet expenses to a considerable extent.  

16. Appreciating the financial assistance offered to three participants from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and to Mr. Thomas Brinks, Coordinator, German Foundation for International Development (DSE) PGR-Biotech Network to attend the 4th International Plant Tissue Culture Conference, and for training of young scientists in Germany in the field of Plant Biotechnology & Plant Genetic Resources from developing countries such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc., it is recommended that follow-up meetings on a regional basis in the presence of DSE representative be held regularly in order to assess and evaluate the benefits of DSE sponsored training and DSE-funded local projects in operation  in Bangladesh and elsewhere. 

17. Recognizing the importance of preserving endangered species of Bangladesh and neighbouring areas, it is recommended that the construction of the proposed institute of plant genetic resources (IPGR) be speeded up and that a section under the title of "In vitro Conservation" be created with all modern facilities as one of its important organs. Data on indigenous species should be recorded in computers and access to such information allowed on the internet.  

18. Urgent need for implementation of biosafety guidelines, enactment of a law on  biosafety regulation in order for Bangladesh to utilize advances in food and crop  research both within the country and internationally. Priority in this regard is setting up of a National Committee on Biosafety of Bangladesh or NCBB as proposed in the Biosafety guidelines. The job of this committee, clearly defined in the guidelines, is to oversee research on transgenic and hazardous organisms in the research institutes handling such material, monitor release of such organisms into the environment and  also ensure food safety, if such organisms are detected in food. The committee will also oversee the  import of such organisms into the country. The NCBB has to be headed by a full Secretary and a member-secretary on a full time basis as explained in the guidelines.  

19. Participants of the conference felt the need for joint research efforts on Biodiversity and conservation of crop plants, propagation of medicinal plants and development of disease-resistant varieties through genetic transformation. Approaches can be   made to the NAM (Non-aligned Movement) for S & T, UNESCO or the SAARC Secretariat for funds to support such collaborative research efforts by the Ministry of S & T. 

20. Participants of the conference felt that  an International Workshop on Science & Technology be organized at an early date  to create awareness among ‘policy makers’ about the impacts of S & T on the economic development of the country. The topics of the proposed workshop may be as follows:   (a) Application of modern biotechnology in accelerating crop improvement programs combining  traditional methods with technology that may help  incorporate specific traits in our crops of interest (b) Protecting our genetically rich diverse crops and their wild and semi-wild relatives through cataloguing  and creating a database with the collaboration of GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) and benefiting from  the experience of  some of the developed countries where biodiversity is being severely affected.. (c) Modus Operandi   for massive increase in micropropagation of medicinal plants - with a view to creating a substantial source of  income for the people of the country.