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Beckons Industries plans 
1 billion biotech park in Punjab
Monday, 08 September 2003, 19:30 IST
NEW DELHI: Punjab based Beckons Industries, an IT and computer peripherals company which diversified into pharma based biotechnology two years ago, plans to set up a biotech park in Punjab at a cost of 
1 billion.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Punjab's State Council of Science and Technology to undertake the project.
"Under the agreement, the Punjab government will be providing us 100 acres of land in Mohali for setting up the biotech park. We hope to start the project by yearend," a company spokesperson told IANS Saturday.
The cost of the project is estimated to be 1 billion, the official added.
Besides offering infrastructure, Beckons plans to offer technological support to companies planning operations in the biotech park.
Beckons has already entered into a tie-up with Boon Vanit International of Thailand, a biotech major for sourcing technology.
It is also in talks with state-owned research and development groups in the country and has entered into techno-commercial tie-up with Andhra Pradesh based Pratishta Biotech Ltd to set up a project in Punjab for 350 million.
The focus of the biotech park would be healthcare, agriculture value addition and development of low cost vaccines for various diseases.
"Despite India having a strong base in microbiology, biochemistry and immunology, most of the vaccines are currently not available locally," said Gurmeet Singh, managing director of Beckons.
According to Singh, a biotech park in Punjab would be advantageous given the strong agriculture base in the state and potential to absorb modern technologies, including biotechnology that offers wide applications in healthcare.
"We hope to offer technological support to potential investors in the biotech park through our national and international partners," said the spokesperson.
The company is simultaneously exploring possibilities of setting up another biotech park in Himachal Pradesh and has initiated talks with the authorities.
Source: IANS
1 billion.
The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Punjab's State Council of Science and Technology to undertake the project.
"Under the agreement, the Punjab government will be providing us 100 acres of land in Mohali for setting up the biotech park. We hope to start the project by yearend," a company spokesperson told IANS Saturday.
The cost of the project is estimated to be 1 billion, the official added.
Besides offering infrastructure, Beckons plans to offer technological support to companies planning operations in the biotech park.
Beckons has already entered into a tie-up with Boon Vanit International of Thailand, a biotech major for sourcing technology.
It is also in talks with state-owned research and development groups in the country and has entered into techno-commercial tie-up with Andhra Pradesh based Pratishta Biotech Ltd to set up a project in Punjab for 350 million.
The focus of the biotech park would be healthcare, agriculture value addition and development of low cost vaccines for various diseases.
"Despite India having a strong base in microbiology, biochemistry and immunology, most of the vaccines are currently not available locally," said Gurmeet Singh, managing director of Beckons.
According to Singh, a biotech park in Punjab would be advantageous given the strong agriculture base in the state and potential to absorb modern technologies, including biotechnology that offers wide applications in healthcare.
"We hope to offer technological support to potential investors in the biotech park through our national and international partners," said the spokesperson.
The company is simultaneously exploring possibilities of setting up another biotech park in Himachal Pradesh and has initiated talks with the authorities.
Source: IANS