He stated that the independent external Selection Panel which considered about 121 nominations for the prizes from 23 member countries has decided to award the Bank's annual prizes for Science &Technology as follows:
- The most outstanding contribution to social and economic development prize awarded to The National Agronomy Research Institute, Rabat – Morocco.
- The most outstanding contribution to a given scientific field awarded to the Institute of Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, Zanjan – Iran.
- The noted scientific institution from a least developed member country awarded to the Institute of Food Technology (ITA), Dakar – Senegal.

In his statement, Dr. Ali, congratulated the winners of the Bank's prizes commending their accomplishments in the fields of science & Technologies in their countries. He added that the prizes disclose the Bank's keenness to promote development in all sectors and to value the role played by scientific institutions and research centres in contributing to enhancing economic and social development in member countries.

The prizes will be awarded in the forthcoming 32nd Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors on 29-30 May 2007 in Dakar, Senegal.
It is worth mentioning that these prizes were established in 2001 to promote S&T excellence and capacity building in IDB member countries.
Each Prize consist of a cash award of US$ 100,000 and a certificate which are presented to the winners by the Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors during the IDB Annual Meetings.