ID :
181874
Fri, 05/13/2011 - 07:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/181874
The shortlink copeid
PM NAJIB CHAIRS BIOTECHNOLOGY MEETING
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 (Bernama) -- The second National Implementation
Coordination Meeting for the National Biotechnology Policy chaired by Prime Minister Najib Razak here Thursday discussed the strategic direction of the biotechnology sector as a National Key Results Area (NKEA).
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, this new strategic direction was proposed as a driver for the second phase of the National Biotechnology Policy (DBN) from 2011 to 2015 as a sustainabale strategy for the development of the Nation's biotechnology industry.
The DBN, which has three phases and is under the purview of the ministry, was launched in 2005. The focus of the second phase is to ensure that the sector is not just an enabler but a main driver and essential part of the Nation's total economy, to be known as bioeconomy.
Bioeconomy is a sustainable economy that uses biologial resources from land and sea as an input to industrial and energy sectors and includes bio-massed processes as well as green industries. This is line with strategies undertaken by developed economies which have realised the potential of bioeconomy as a major contributor to the GDP.
The meeting was also briefed on the amalgamation of three national
biotechnology institutes - the National Insitute of Pharmaceuticals and
Nutraceuticals, the National Institute of Agribiotechnology and the Malaysian Genomics Institute - into a not-for-profit entity to be known as the National Institutes of Biotechnoloy Malaysia (NIBM).
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the
biotechnology sector had contributed more than 2.2 per cent to the country's GDP and that the target was for it to contribute five per cent to GDP by the end of the third phase of the DBN (which runs from 2015 to 2020).
"Even though biotechnology is a relatively new industry, the sector achieved a measure of success in the last five years. Among them are investments of RM5.4 billion and 188 Bio-Nexus companies nurtured by BiotechCorp with a total approved investment of RM1.96 billion. (US$1=RM2.99)
"From this, five Bio-Nexus companies have been lsited in the domestic and international stock exhanges. Additionally, the confidence of foreign firms to invest in Malaysia is rapidly increasing with the entry of global companies such as Biocon, Glycos Bio and Metabolic Explorer in the Bio-Xcell Biotechnology ecosystem," he said.
Bio-Xcell is a dedicated biotechnolgy hub that is being developed in Iskandar Johor, the southern main development corridor.
The Prime Minister also said that the second phase of the DBN would focus on the participation of the private sector as well as private-public partnerships.
"These include innovative strategies that are able to attract investments and encourage public sector commitment including in the investment and banking sectors. The government will continue to suspport this agenda through the existing financial mechanisms and create suitable incentives through a market oriented approach," he added.
The Prime Minister also said that the success of the second phase of the development of the biotechnology industry is also based on the country's unique abilities that can fulfill market needs.
"The strategies that have to be taken by Malaysia should focus on niche industries that can rapidly develop a competitive edge," he said, adding that these measures were essential for the success of the National bioeconomy agenda.
Coordination Meeting for the National Biotechnology Policy chaired by Prime Minister Najib Razak here Thursday discussed the strategic direction of the biotechnology sector as a National Key Results Area (NKEA).
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, this new strategic direction was proposed as a driver for the second phase of the National Biotechnology Policy (DBN) from 2011 to 2015 as a sustainabale strategy for the development of the Nation's biotechnology industry.
The DBN, which has three phases and is under the purview of the ministry, was launched in 2005. The focus of the second phase is to ensure that the sector is not just an enabler but a main driver and essential part of the Nation's total economy, to be known as bioeconomy.
Bioeconomy is a sustainable economy that uses biologial resources from land and sea as an input to industrial and energy sectors and includes bio-massed processes as well as green industries. This is line with strategies undertaken by developed economies which have realised the potential of bioeconomy as a major contributor to the GDP.
The meeting was also briefed on the amalgamation of three national
biotechnology institutes - the National Insitute of Pharmaceuticals and
Nutraceuticals, the National Institute of Agribiotechnology and the Malaysian Genomics Institute - into a not-for-profit entity to be known as the National Institutes of Biotechnoloy Malaysia (NIBM).
In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the
biotechnology sector had contributed more than 2.2 per cent to the country's GDP and that the target was for it to contribute five per cent to GDP by the end of the third phase of the DBN (which runs from 2015 to 2020).
"Even though biotechnology is a relatively new industry, the sector achieved a measure of success in the last five years. Among them are investments of RM5.4 billion and 188 Bio-Nexus companies nurtured by BiotechCorp with a total approved investment of RM1.96 billion. (US$1=RM2.99)
"From this, five Bio-Nexus companies have been lsited in the domestic and international stock exhanges. Additionally, the confidence of foreign firms to invest in Malaysia is rapidly increasing with the entry of global companies such as Biocon, Glycos Bio and Metabolic Explorer in the Bio-Xcell Biotechnology ecosystem," he said.
Bio-Xcell is a dedicated biotechnolgy hub that is being developed in Iskandar Johor, the southern main development corridor.
The Prime Minister also said that the second phase of the DBN would focus on the participation of the private sector as well as private-public partnerships.
"These include innovative strategies that are able to attract investments and encourage public sector commitment including in the investment and banking sectors. The government will continue to suspport this agenda through the existing financial mechanisms and create suitable incentives through a market oriented approach," he added.
The Prime Minister also said that the success of the second phase of the development of the biotechnology industry is also based on the country's unique abilities that can fulfill market needs.
"The strategies that have to be taken by Malaysia should focus on niche industries that can rapidly develop a competitive edge," he said, adding that these measures were essential for the success of the National bioeconomy agenda.
