WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today applauded the Bush Administration’s announcement to begin free trade negotiations with Malaysia. “Malaysia is an important market with a strong interest in developing its biotechnology industry,” stated Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “We look forward to working with U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman on this important initiative as Malaysia looks to enhance the development of its biotechnology sector.
“In April 2005, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed launched a new National Biotechnology Policy that has given impetus to growing the biotechnology sector into a new economic engine to enhance prosperity and wellness of the nation by 2020. A free trade agreement with Malaysia will provide an important opportunity to work with Malaysia to establish a framework to promote the development of biotechnology that includes a science- based regulatory infrastructure for agricultural biotechnology and ensures strong intellectual property rights for biotechnology inventions.”
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
Biotechnology Industry Organization
CONTACT: Lisa Dry of Biotechnology Industry Organization, +1-202-962-9231
Web site: http://www.bio.org/
