Science and Technology Program

                               MEXICO



SECTOR:             Science and Technology

PROJECT NAME:       Science and Technology Program 
                    (804/OC-ME; 001/SPQ-ME)

TOTAL COST:         $300.0  million

FINANCING:
      IDB           $180.0  million
    LOCAL           $120.0  million

DATE OF APPROVAL:   December 16, 1993

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:The fundamental purpose of this program is to raise
                    Mexico's capabilities in science and technology and to
                    expand and improve training in these areas in an attempt
                    to meet the country's social and economic development
                    needs in a new era marked by economic liberalization
                    and competitive markets.  

                    Specifically, the program seeks to: (a) promote techno-
                    logical innovation in producer companies through pilot
                    research and development (R&D) projects; and (b) improve
                    the quality and effectiveness of teaching at the Univer-
                    sidad Nacional Aut¢noma de México (UNAM), the
                    country's largest university, and to expand its R&D
                    capabilities in engineering, the pure and natural
                    sciences, agriculture and health.  Forming part of the
                    government of Mexico's science and technology policy, the
                    program includes: (a) a subprogram for modernization of
                    industrial techno-logy and training (PROMTEC), which will
                    be carried out by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y
                    Tecnología (CONACYT); this subprogram is designed
                    to provide loans directly to microenterprise and small
                    business in the private sector 


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                    for R&D projects; and (b) a human resources training
                    subprogram consisting of a UNAM education project for
                    the development of science and technology in Mexico.

CIVIL WORKS:        The training component calls for 150,000 m2 in
                    construction and remodelling works in different
                    departments and branches of the UNAM (laboratories,
                    workshops, libraries and a computer and information
                    center).

GOODS AND EQUIPMENT:Equipment and instruments for the laboratories in the
                    pure and natural sciences, health, engineering, and
                    technology will be procured and installed as part of
                    the UNAM training component.

CONSULTANTS:        Consultants will be used to provide specialized academic
                    advisory services in the physical sciences and mathemat-
                    ics.

EXECUTING AGENCY:   (1)  Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
                         (CONACYT)
                         Unidad Coordinadora del PROMTEC
                         Avenida Constituyentes 1046
                         Col. Lomas Altos
                         C.P.  11950 Mexico, D.F., Mexico
                         Telephone:(52-5) 327-7400
                         Fax:      (52-5) 327-7627
                         Contact:  Lic. Jorge Gomez Comargo

                    (2)  Universidad Nacional Aut¢noma de México
                         (UNAM)
                         Secretaria Administrativa UNAM
                         Periferico Sur N§ 3180 
                         C.P. 01900  Mexico, D.F., Mexico
                         Telephone:(52-5) 595-5708
                         Fax:      (52-5) 595-5688
                         Contact:  Lic. Juan José Sanchez Ruedo