India and Spain have announced a joint programme for technological co-operation between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) of Spain, at the inauguration of 10th edition of BioAsia summit in Hyderabad.

The two countries have called for pushing forward industrial R&D proposals in biotechnology which were already announced in June 2012. Initially the three important projects which were selected for funding include APTAFOOD, NATURINDIA and FUNFRUT.

The joint declaration was announced by Carmen Vela Olmao, Minister of state research, development and innovation, government of Spain and Dr George John, senior advisor, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) India.

Before this, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Krian Kumar Reddy inaugurated the three-day BioAsia 2013 congress and highlighted the state government’s efforts towards encouraging the growth of Biotechnology industry in the state. “We have been encouraging the biotechnology and pharma industry to organise international programmes and enhance increased global interaction to share knowledge and technology to take the field to the next highest level. As the biotechnology industry has to face global competition quick decision making, more Research and Development (R&D) and infrastructure investments will help the industry to sustain a long way ahead.”

The Genome valley is India’s first Biotechnology Park established in India. “We are trying our best to provide all the facilities to encourage entrepreneurs to set up industry in the state. There are about 120 biotechnology companies in the state and out of 60 per cent vaccines produced in India, Andhra Pradesh itself contributes to about 30 per cent,” added the CM.

The chief minister praised the organisers of the BioAsia for taking up the Agri-Biotech initiative, which is first of its kind taken up for deliberations during the past one decade. As the cost of agriculture production is going up and yields are going down, the chief minister expressed his optimism that BioAsia will draw a road map for the next green revolution which would provide better remunerative agriculture productivity for the farmers.

“Our priority at BioAsia is to give continuity to our joint bilateral efforts with our Indian counterparts and expecting this forum will give us a great networking platform to all participants,” said Carmen Vela Olma, Minister of State Research, development and innovation, Government of Spain.

Dr M K Bhan, former secretary, DBT and Fred C Lewis-Hall, executive vice president Pfizer Inc. were awarded the Genome valley excellence award for their contribution in advancing the biotechnology and healthcare sector.

About 500 delegates from across 50 countries took part at the BioAsia congress. Prominent among them include Inkyo Kim, president, Gangwon Technopark, South Korea, Dr George John, senior advisor to government of India, Manni Kantipudi, CEO, GVK Biosciences etc.