A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the AP government and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan for collaboration in Biotechnology with focus on crop, animal and environmental biotechnology. According to a press release issued by the Industries Department, the MoU was signed at Washington D C by B P Acharya, Secretary, Industries and Commerce, and Larry Spannier, Deputy Minister for Industries, Saskatchewan.

B Gopalakrishna Reddy, Minister for Small-Scale Industries and Biotechnology, Dr D Balasubramaniam, Chairman, State Biotech Advisory Committee, S Dhawan, CEO, S P Biotech Park, and other delegates of the CII Biotechnology Mission were present when the MoU was signed. The MoU was signed in connection with the international biotech conference and exhibition BIO-2003, being held in Washington D C from June 22, in which a separate stall for the Genome Valley had been put up by the state government to showcase its initiatives to develop the biotech sector.

As per the MoU, Saskatchewan, which is the leading state of Canada in the field of biotechnology, will collaborate in technology transfer, research, regulatory approvals, and educational exchanges for developing the biotechnology sector in AP.

Addressing the function, Gopalakakrishna Reddy highlighted the government initiatives to develop world-class infrastructure in the Genome Valley. He called for collaboration between India and Canada, particularly in agri-biotechnology. The collaboration is important in the context of the agri-business incubator and the agri-biotech park being developed by ICRISAT.

Eric Cline, Minister for Industry and Resources, Saskatchewan, emphasized on the similarity of conditions in both the states and the potential for collaboration. Saskatchewan will send a delegation to attend the Biotech India International Conference being organised in Hyderabad in September to explore further possibilities.

Gopalakrishna Reddy, Acharya and Dr Balasubramaniam also attended the Global Biotech Forum.