In the News

Government to promote biotechnology

Premier Wu Den-yih (center) ordered cross-agency collaboration to help promote Taiwan’s biotechnology sector in international markets. (CNA)

• Publication Date：03/12/2010
• Source： Commercial Times

The government will set up an international marketing platform to promote Taiwan’s biotechnology sector, Premier Wu Den-yih said March 11.

The premier made the statement during a meeting with representatives from the Southern Taiwan Science Park. More than 100 business leaders participated in the event, including top executives from Tayih Group, Chi Mei Group, AsiaGen Corp. and ScinoPharm Taiwan Ltd.

AsiaGen Chairman George Chin-sheng Chou pointed out that the current market environment makes it difficult for local biotechnological firms to export their patented products. Wu said he would instruct the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and relevant agencies to set up an international marketing platform to assist the private sector in making inroads into the global market.

In response to concerns that mainland China is using non-tariff barriers to impede the development of Taiwan’s pharmaceutical sector, Wu promised that the issue will be addressed in future cross-strait economic negotiations.

The premier said the STSP is an ideal location to develop a medical device and equipment sector on the back of the booming biotechnological industry forming in the area. Advantages include a ready supply of raw materials such as steel from the state-run China Steel Corp. and a well-developed manufacture cluster nearby. Locally produced equipment could even help enhance the competitiveness of Taiwan’s Chinese herbal medicine products, he said.

In related news, Wu noted that according to official statistics released Jan. 8, 2009, more than 230,000 employees of the country’s industrial parks and nearly 130,000 in three major science parks had been forced to take unpaid leaves. He felt gratified that now fewer than 400 workers in industrial parks and only 66 in science parks are on furlough.

The premier stressed that while the economy is on the mend, the nation must continue its efforts to improve conditions. The Cabinet has completed negotiations with the Legislature regarding the enactment of the proposed Statute for Industrial Innovation, which holds the key to the future of Taiwan’s industrial sector, he said.

The Cabinet will strive to put the bill on the priority list for the current legislative session and seek a final reading by the end of March, he added. (SFC-THN)