All eyes turn to backward bio-technology

HCM CITY — Despite making significant strides, the bio-technology industry remains backward compared to its counterparts in other countries in the region.

Speaking at the 2nd National Biotechnology Conference in Southern Viet Nam yesterday, the director of the HCM City Department of Science and Technology, Phan Minh Tan, said: "Bio-technology has yet to meet the increasing needs of socio-economic development, environmental protection, and improving living standards."

It is a fact that bio-technology needs competent scientists, modern facilities, huge investment, and extensive research and testing, but has a short product life and faces difficulties with regard to copyright protection.

The conference, which attracted 250 scientists and managers from around the country, sought to discuss how to cope with these difficulties and develop the industry by 2015.

To improve the situation, the city, the biggest bio-technology hub in Viet Nam, is planning to extensively invest in facilities, equipment, as well as human resources for research and development.

More than 100 Vietnamese post-graduates and Ph.Ds are currently training in Australia, Canada, Cuba, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore, the UK and the US.

The city's Biotechnology Centre is getting a US$100 million infusion to set up modern facilities.

In the last five years, over VND19 billion (almost $1 million) has been spent on research and development, with more than 80 per cent of research projects yielding practical technologies.

"HCM City will promote co-operation among the Government, scientists, and enterprises, with enterprises being at the centre," Tan added.

The city is eyeing development of new technologies in areas like medicine, agriculture, food safety, and environmentally-friendly materials.

In 2010 – 15, around VND1.4 trillion ($70 million) is expected to be invested in bio-technology, with 89 per cent coming from the Government. — VNS