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Kerala to assess its biotechnology potential
Wednesday, 16 April 2003, 19:30 IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Biodiversity-rich Kerala is starting an assessment of its potential in biotechnology, seen as one of the biggest growth areas in global business in the near future.
The government has appointed a special officer to study Kerala's potential and prepare a long-term approach paper on biotechnology suggesting ways to exploit the state's resources, including its vast herbal wealth.
The special officer, Rajiv Vasudevan, said he would prepare a roadmap for developing the sector and find a way to coordinate the work of the half-a-dozen biotechnology institutes in the state, among them the Tropical Botanical Garden Research Institute and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
Vasudevan, who used to head the IT Technopark here, said areas he would look into include reserves of herbs for herbal extracts, pharma-related work, marine biotechnology and education.
"Investment is not a problem. Like what has happened in Andhra Pradesh where the centre, state and private sector joined hands to develop the ICICI Biotechnology Park, we too could look into this area," Vasudevan told IANS.
Finance Minister K. Sankaranarayanan said: "We are working out a biotechnology policy that would be announced shortly. I have already set apart 
15 million in the current budget to meet the initial expenses."
Vasudevan said a biotechnology park is being planned. He said though the location has still not been finalised, the state capital has an advantage because it houses the major research institutes.
Source: IANS
15 million in the current budget to meet the initial expenses."
Vasudevan said a biotechnology park is being planned. He said though the location has still not been finalised, the state capital has an advantage because it houses the major research institutes.
Source: IANS