Kinfra to set up 'Biotech Park'

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 26. The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) proposes to develop an international biotechnology park in Thiruvananthapuram.

The park is conceptualised as a commercial venture which will also bring economic and social benefits to the State. The `Biotech Park' will focus on manufacturing activities rather than R&D work. The facilities at the park will be available to tenant units on commercial terms.

In a pressnote here today, Kinfra said a venture with such a commercial orientation is eminently viable here in view of the scope for setting up a number of biotech industrial units utilising the biodiversity resources in the State. Proven technologies and know-how are available from abroad for many projects in the sector.

The proposed park will have world-class industrial, commercial and R&D infrastructure including built-up factory space and developed plots with power, water and telecommunication facilities. It will also have a `technology and information centre' with computer-linked world-wide connectivity. Investors can just walk in and start their units.

The recent years have witnessed astonishing developments in the field of biotechnology. The biotech industry, the world over, has the potential to match, or even surpass, the computer industry in growth and significance in the days to come.

When the boom days start, Kerala will be one of the most sought- after locations in the world for those investing in the biotech sector. The State is rich in terms of biodiversity resources, with the Western Ghat areas being recognised as one of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

The State also has a network of institutions of academic and research excellence, with ongoing biotech-related R&D activities. Further, it has a rich repository of trained manpower in the areas of agriculture, medicine and biotechnology.

Kinfra conducted a brain storming session here the other day to gather inputs from experts on how to go about the task of promoting biotech industries in the State.

This session suggested that the Government's role at the proposed Biotech Park should be restricted to that of a facilitator. It felt that the State should formulate a biotech policy and constitute a biotechnology advisory council headed by the highest executive authority to ensure total Governmental commitment to developing the sector.

Bio informatics and herbal floriculture were identified by the session as some of the thrust areas suitable for development in the State. The experts also suggested that the Biotech Consortium India Limited, a premier institution in the field, could be entrusted with the task of preparing a detailed feasibility report for the proposed `Biotech Park'.

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Section  : Southern States
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