Harare, Aug 21 (IANS): A Zimbabwean cabinet minister has urged the government to emulate emerging economies such as China by investing heavily in new technologies to accelerate development.

Science and Technology Development Minister Heneri Dzinotyiweyi told news agency New Ziana Monday that the introduction of technology has helped emerging economies grow, reported Xinhua.

"Some of the technologies may be too costly to develop in Third World countries, but accordingly, there is need to adopt an innovative approach focusing on understanding those aspects that are likely to have immediate relevance in addressing challenges in our national development," Dzinotyiweyi said.

He said technology is a catalyst to economic growth and could solve societal problems.

"Emerging economies such as China have grown to become what they are today through investing in technology," he said.

"Thus if we are to follow the same developmental patterns, government and the private sector should work together and channel more resources towards developing technology," he added.

Dzinotyiweyi said though scientific advancements were detrimental to the ecosystem, they could be carried out with adequate risk assessments.

"It is known that man-made activities may interfere with nature, but accordingly, in adopting emerging technologies this should be done with adequate environmental impact assessments," he said.