HAVANA, Sep. 7, 2010 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Cuba is to open a nanotechnology center for Latin American scientists, nuclear physicist Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart said Tuesday.
The facility, known as "Center for Advanced Studies" (CAEC), would be the top national institution focusing on the nanotechnology researches in Latin America, he told a hi-tech meeting.
Cuba is ready to operate the first stage of the CAEC at the end of this year, said Diaz-Balart, the eldest son of former top Cuban leader Fidel Castro who also serves as the scientific advisor for the Council of State.
He said Cuba spends 1.21 percent of its GDP in scientific research, but "it isn't for fame but for the people's welfare."
"We have 53 centers for biomedicine studies, with 3,000 scientists working on new medicines development," he added.
The meeting, or the Third International Seminar on Nanoscience and Technology, has drawn over 70 scientists worldwide and two winners of the Nobel Prize.
