It will be launched officially with the three-day Biotechnology Asia 2006 Exhibition and Conference, which starts today at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Project manager Zaid Karim told reporters yesterday Faba will act as a facilitator between industry and Government to draw investment into the sector.

Faba aims to safeguard the overall interest of biotechnology as a science and profession within the industry and also to promote it within the member countries.

Besides Malaysia, other Faba members are Iran, Israel, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.

The association was launched during the BioAsia 2005 Conference in Hyderabad, India.

Organising committee chairman Dr Reezal Abdul Latif said: "We want to promote biotechnology in Asian countries by pooling resources and expertise of each nation in Asia and also to keep pace with the advances in the field of biotechnology by the developed world."

The local Faba outfit will be headed by Prof Emeritus Dr Abdul Latif Ibrahim, director of Universiti Industri Selangor and biotechnology adviser to the Selangor State Government.

As for Biotechnology Asia 2006, the event themed, "Convergence of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology" is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors from over 15 countries.

More than 70 exhibitors, both local and foreign, will be showcasing their latest products and innovations.

The event will be used as a platform to launch local biotech players to the region, as well as networking and growth in the industry.

It is expected to attract not only universities, biotech companies and research institutions, but also players from key sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology.