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Malaysia Takes Big Stride Towards Biotechnology Development
"Malaysia has been blessed with a wealth of resources that lend themselves to the development of biotechnology. We are renowned for our biodiversity and for our strength in resource-based industries. We are acknowledged for our excellent infrastructure, political stability, strong economic fundamentals and cost-competitive skilled labour," he said. "However, in order to utilise these strengths and resources fully, we have to undertake a serious and concerted effort in providing the right environment for biotechnology to flourish. We have to assist those with the expertise to carry out biotech-driven R&D or to develop biotech driven businesses or to do both," said Datuk Seri Abdullah. He added that biotechnology will not only drive improvements in the living quality of Malaysians but will also propel the creation of knowledge and innovation in the country which are crucial elements in Malaysia's quest to climb up to a higher value-added stage of development. "The development of biotechnology has long depended on government support and has often been catalysed by government initiatives. We can see this in many countries with strong and advanced biotechnology sectors. It is with this in mind that the Malaysian government commits itself today to undertake the role of developer and catalyst of the country's biotechnology sector by unveiling the National Biotechnology Policy. This landmark policy encompasses nine thrusts which underline the direction and measures offered by my government towards developing biotechnology for wealth creation and national wellbeing," said the Prime Minister.
He added that the Malaysian government has also decided to employ an approach that moves away from an infrastructure focus to one that builds on the capabilities of existing institutions. In line with this, the Government will be developing a network or nexus of centres of excellence from existing institutions around the country, to be known as 'Bionexus Malaysia' "This Bionexus will represent the best institutions that Malaysia has to offer in specific biotechnology sub-sectors. As a start, resources will be put into developing three centres of excellence. The centre of excellence for agricultural biotechnology will be focused at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and Universiti Putra Malaysia. For genomics and molecular biology, it will be at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia while for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals it will be at the original BioValley site in Dengkil. These centres will become anchors and attract the set-ups of other institutions and companies in related areas of expertise, the Prime Minister elaborated.
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At
the opening of the inaugural BioMalaysia 2005 Conference and Showcase at the
Putrajaya International Convention Centre on 28 April 2005, Prime Minister,
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the setting up of the Malaysian
Biotechnology Corporation and unveiled the National Biotechnology Policy.
On
the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Datuk Seri Abdullah said the agency is
entrusted with identifying good value propositions in both R&D and commerce.
It will give financial support and developmental services to firms involved in
biotech ventures. The agency will work closely with all relevant agencies and
ministries such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and
Agro-Based Industries, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as
the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, said Datuk Seri Abdullah.
MTC’s
