India to have biotech policy soon

MUMBAI: The Centre would soon announce the National Bio-technology Policy, which would also look at avenues for public-private partnerships.

"Based on the discussions with the industries, academicians, consumers and agriculturists, the central government would soon announce the National Bio-tech Policy. It will also look at avenues for public-private partnerships," advisor to Minister of Science & Technology & Ocean Development,� Dr SR Rao said here.

The government is all geared up for public-private partnerships to solve the issue in the area of research and discovery, Rao said at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference on "Bio business opportunities in India" on the occasion of Maharashtra Bio-technology Day on Wednesday.

India has already made a mark in the field of bio-technology and the government is open to views and suggestion in new partnerships and alliances, "which would make us a leader in bio-technology industry and help become globally competitive�, he said.

There is a need for networking, public-private partnership and alliances with achievable goals from time to time in the area of research and discovery, Rao emphasised.

Speaking on the government''s initiative principal secretary (Industries), Government of Maharashtra Vishwas Dhumal said Maharashtra is committed to rapid growth of the bio-tech sector through public-private partnerships.