The Star, Tuesday October 3, 2006

National bio-safety board in the works

KANGAR: The proposal to set up a National Bio-Safety Board will be tabled in Parliament early next year. 

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the board, once established, would be responsible for approving the import and export of biological products. 

“Foreign investors will also be able to invest in such products in the country when the board is set up,'' he told reporters after attending a buka puasa event with the ministry’s staff and Padang Besar Umno division leaders on Sunday.  

Azmi said once the board was established, a Genetic Modification Advisory Committee would be formed to assist the board in implementing policies, and that a group of scientists would sit on the committee. 

On another matter, he revealed that all ministers had been asked to table weekly reports to the Cabinet on payments disbursed to contractors and suppliers involved in government projects. 

He said the Cabinet wanted payment to be made within two weeks.