Govt. to set up Biotech Park

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MAY 7. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday unveiled the Biotechnology Policy-2001, incorporating a 300-acre Biotech Park at Turkapally near here offering world class infrastructure, Rs. 50-crore Biotechnology Development Fund, drastic reduction in Sales Tax to one per cent and concessional land.

Through the policy, the Government plans to leverage the existing strengths of the State for rapid commercialisation of biotechnology to produce innovative biotech products and services in a wide range of areas.

Mr. Naidu, who appeared fully pleased by the policy document, finalised by a group of experts, said the State, having all the advantages, would usher in a biotechnology revolution extending the necessary facilities and simplifying the existing procedures.

Now that an `excellent' policy is in place, what is required is aggressive marketing, he said. His government wanted to attract the best of the biotechnology entrepreneurs and appealed to the Confederation of Indian Industry representatives, who were present, to help in promoting it.

The policy document says the State has competitive advantage over other States. It has rich bio-resources, is a leader in pharmaceuticals (Hyderabad being bulk drug capital of India and known for invention of new molecules), has a network of research and development institutes (CCMB, CDFD, IICT, ICRISAT etc), large scientific and technical manpower (University of Hyderabad, Osmania University etc), convergence of IT and BT and leading biotech companies (Shanta Biotech, Bharat Biotech and Dr. Reddy's Labs etc). The thrust areas of the policy are diagnostics, therapeutics, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, agriculture industrial and marine biotechnology, forest and environment focused biotechnology and contract research.

The Biotech Park at Turkapally, adjacent to ICICI Knowledge Park, is a novel concept and first of its kind in the country. It will provide the necessary infrastructure and suitable environment for development of biotechnology sector. It would focus on bio- pharma, health care and agri companies in the first phase. The infrastructure includes Genome Valley encompassing Shamirpet, Medchal, Keesra and Uppal spread over 600 sq. km.

The Biotech Park project would be supported in the form of grants, subsidies, Sales Tax concession and soft loans and will have state-of-the-art communication facilities. The `ready' benefits include ready-to-occupy flatted factories, National Resource Centre to be set up by the Central Department of Biotechnology, single-window clearance and instant customs clearance.

The AP Biotechnology Development Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister and a Department of Biotechnology would be set up. Dr. M. V. Rao, member of the Biotechnology Advisory Committee, presented the highlights of the policy.

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