Japan’s biotech players are keen to boost biotechnology research and development (R&D) activities in collaboration with their Malaysian counterparts, said Japan-based biotech expert Naoko Sayama.She said taking note of Malaysia’s strengths, an area of the R&D focus will be in fertiliser and agriculture developments."Since Malaysia has the expertise in fertiliser and agriculture developments, we feel that this area can be further developed through cooperation between both countries,” she told Bernama on the sidelines of a seminar entitled “Exploring Business Opportunities in Biotechnology for Malaysian and Japanese Companies” here Tuesday.Sayama, who is a biotech consultant with the Japan External Trade Organisation, was in Malaysia to explore business opportunities in the biotechnology industry.She said based on Malaysia’s existing manufacturing excellence and adaptable human capital, there is also potential for strategic partnerships and investment opportunities in the food and pharmaceuticals areas.According to her, there are several areas for collaboration between biotech-based companies of Japan and Malaysia, and it is just a matter of time before both sides get started.
