Establishment of Technology

Clusters

Engr. Waheed-ur-Rehman
Materials Science Centre

PCSIR Laboratories
Complex, Peshawar

What is a Technology Cluster?

Clusters

are

dense

regional

networks of companies, universities,

research

institutions,

and

other

stakeholders involved in a single

industry

Pillars of Technology Cluster

1.

Geography
Clusters are driven by proximity and are often concentrated in a
region within a larger nation, and sometimes in one town.

2.

Value Creation
Clusters include companies in different industries that are related to
each other in the production of goods and services valued by
customers.

3.

Business Environment
Clusters are affected by cluster-specific business environment
conditions resulting from individual actions as well as cooperation of
companies, government agencies, universities and other institutions
in the national and regional innovation system.

Benefits of a Technology Cluster

1.

Increased levels of expertise

Due to close interactions, an opportunity for inter-firm learning and
greater depth of understanding of their supply chain.

2. Ability of firms to draw together complementary skills

Companies can pull together complimentary resources to tackle
more complex projects that as individual units they would be unable
to do.
4. Strengthening social and other informal links
Interactions in a cluster strengthen professional, social and informal
linkages among the entities and the individuals leading to the
creation of new ideas, new products and services and new
businesses.

Benefits of a Technology Cluster

5. Improved information flow within a cluster
Improved information flow helping innovators to have access to latest
technology and market information, rapidly and efficiently.
6. Development of the infrastructure
Development of physical infrastructure, e.g communications and
transportation facilities, as well as support services such as
professional, legal and financial.

Sectors of a Technology Cluster

1)

Established companies

2)

Start-up businesses

3)

Research institutions or Universities

4)

Support groups

5)

Local government

6)

Provincial government

7)

Federal government

Lifecycle of a Technology Cluster

Within a technological cluster technology projects will
emerge and diffuse over time following a life-cycle with four
stages,
1. Origination creating new products and services
2. Expansion growing products and services
3. Convergence maturing products and services
4. Reorientation shifting to other technologies; or decline
if reorientation does not occur

Success Factors of Technology Cluster

Presence

of

functioning

networks

and

partnerships
A

strong innovation base, with supporting R&D

activities

Existence
An

of a strong skills base

adequate physical infrastructure

A strong
Access

entrepreneurial culture

to sources of finance

Factors
Influencing
Technological Clusters
Interacting

Innovation

in

with subject matter experts in the

local area
Personal relationships developed with other
researchers in the local area
Having interactions with customers, suppliers,
competitors who are present in the local area
Brainstorming sessions with people in the local
area
Informal meeting with people in the local area

Proposed Technology Clusters by PCSIR

Labs Complex, Peshawar
1.

Marble Industry at industrial Estate,

Mardan

2.

Arms

and

Ammunition

Industry

at

Industrial Estate, Kohat Road, Peshawar

Background Information

As per instructions of the Secretary MoST, the responsibilities were

assigned to Technology Wing to establish Technology Clusters in the
major cities of the country with collaboration of provincial governments.

A letter in this regard was issued to the Chief Secretaries of the

provinces under the signature of Federal Secretary, MoST.

As per reply of ST&IT Department, Govt. of KP, various initiatives like

Establishment of Science & Technology Park have been taken in this
regard. Furthermore, Technology Display Centre has also been
established for the projection/display of the commercially viable
research products/prototype processes.

Later on PCSIR was assigned the task to establish Technology Clusters

in the major cities of the country with collaboration of provincial
governments.

Till date Progress of PCSIR Labs

Complex, Peshawar
Initially two fields of technology to start work on
technology clusters were selected,
1.

Marble

Industry

at

industrial

Estate,

Mardan
2.

Arms

and

Ammunition

Industry

at

Industrial Estate, Kohat Road, Peshawar

Small Industrial Estate, Mardan

1.

Name

Small Industrial Estate, Mardan

2.

Location

Nowshehra Road, Mardan

3.

Total Area

60 Acres

4.

Total No. of Units in Operation

89

5.

No. of Marble Units

82

6.

Total Investment in Marble Units

Rs. 114.129 Mn

7.

Total Employment in Marble Units

621

8.

Infrastructure Facilities

Available

Small Industrial Estate, Peshawar

1.

Name

Small Industrial Estate, Peshawar

2.

Location

Kohat Road, Peshawar

3.

Total Area

54.14 Acres

4.

Total No. of Units in Operation

110

5.

No. Arms & Ammunition Units

27

6.

Total Investment in Arms &

Ammunition Units

Rs. 40.077 Mn

7.

Total Employment in Arms &

Ammunition Units

262

8.

Infrastructure Facilities

All facilities exist

Till date Progress of PCSIR Labs

Complex, Peshawar

First consultative meeting on Establishment of Technology Clusters

around different Industrial Zones in the Country was held on 9th
September, 2014 at PCSIR Labs Complex, Peshawar.

Representatives of Small Industrial Development Board, Khyber

Pakhtoonkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department
of ST&IT attended the meeting.

The idea was appreciated by participants.

DG, PLC offered the services of PCSIR Labs Complex, Peshawar as a

coordinator and that the expertise/facilities available at PCSIR
Peshawar could be utilized scrupulously.

It was decided that further consultative meetings may be called as and

when required.

What Role PCSIR will Play in

Technology Clusters?
Providing

a strong R&D base

Offering

services of the well developed pilot

plants & state of the art workshop facilities

Providing

training opportunities to the job

seekers and those already working in the
industry for enhancing their skills

Technical

investors

and feasibility studies for the new