Bernama.com (Malaysian National News Agency), 20 March, 2007

Sabah Backs Development Of Biotech Sector

KOTA KINABALU, March 20 (Bernama) -- Biotechnology plays a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic well-being of the state and its people, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Therefore, he said, the Sabah government would continue to support the development of the biotech industry in Sabah.

In this respect, he said, a ten-year State Government Biotechnology Action Blue Print (2005-2015) has been formulated by the Working Group on Biotech Research, Development and Applications.

"This is a manifestation of the state government's commitment in providing the support to develop bio-industry in the state," he said at the opening of the Yayasan Sabah Group Biotech Sdn Bhd's (YSG Biotech) laboratory facility here Tuesday.

Musa said the working group would operate under the umbrella of the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct, which stretched from Papar to Beaufort in the south-western corridor of the state.

"This initiative will offer Sabah a golden opportunity to optimise its strategic natural endowments such as its rich and mega-biodiversity," he said.

He said the YSG Biotech was one of the fortunate entities in terms of resources.

"The research centres at Luasong, Taliwas and Milian Forest Centre are facilities that are readily available for the facilitation of biotech-related researches.

"The group's conservation areas such as Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon are pristine forests rich in mega biodiversity.

"These resources are unmatched by any other organisations and will certainly be a rich source for all the needed inputs for a successful biotech-related undertaking," he said.

Musa said biotech has been accepted by the Malaysian government as one of the key drivers of the country's development.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Federal government has allocated RM2 billion to promote the development of biotech in order to complement private sector funding.

"An initial amount of RM300 million has been allocated to Malaysian Biotechnology Corp to initiate commercialisation, technology acquisition, entrepreneur development and for the development of intellectual property framework," he said.

-- BERNAMA