Biotech Park to take off

Luring investors with new bio-tech park
New Indian Express, Tuesday July 6 2004 11:43 IST

BANGALORE: With a focus on mass application and commercial exploitation of Biotechnology, the State Government intends to give a major fillip to the fast developing technology by making it more accessible to the common man.

Within two years, the industry has attracted investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore in the State and is likely to attract another Rs 500 crore during the next year.

‘‘Two years is too long a duration for this fast developing technology and to keep up with the pace, policy changes are inevitable,’’ IT, Biotechnology and Science and Technology Secretary M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda told this website's newspaper.

To begin with, a Biotechnology Park will be developed near Electronics City. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has provided 100 acres for the purpose. In this park, 10 acres would be reserved for academic institutions.

The Institute of Bio Informatics and Biotechnology and Centre for Human Genetics will also find a place in the park.

‘‘Based on the success and investment it attracts, we are planning to replicate the parks in Hassan by virtue of its good weather conditions, one in Dharwad for its rich human resources as Agriculture University produces excellent graduates and one in Bijapur for its innovations in horticultural crops,’’ Gowda said.

To attract investors, to bridge the gap between farmers and industry and to generate inputs for the policy change, the department has also organised an international conference on ‘Biotechnology for a Billion people’ in Bangalore from July 11.

‘‘The conference will focus on Karnataka as a destination for investment in R and D, academies and commercial applications,’’ Gowda said.