New Delhi, October 18 (IANS). The government has emphasized that India has the potential to become a science and technology based global biomanufacturing hub.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the country should adopt a global approach regarding biochemical manufacturing and a global strategy should be prepared for it.
Addressing an event at the CSIR-NIIST campus in Thiruvananthapuram, Union Minister Singh asked the institute to bring new innovations that are useful even to the non-scientific community.
“India will be transformed into a science and technology based global biomanufacturing hub,” he told the gathering at the campus.
“Sustainability and e-waste management have been a strong tenet of all the initiatives of the Central Government,” Dr Singh said, citing the example of the self-powered indoor air quality monitor introduced at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
He further said that promoting innovation and entrepreneurship through startups and incubators is one of the top priorities of the Central Government.
The Minister said that the Central Government is promoting public-private partnerships and he urged CSIR-NIIST to follow this path.
He also inaugurated the ‘Center of Excellence in Performance Chemicals and Sustainable Polymers’ and laid the foundation stone of the Center of Excellence in Ayurveda Research.
The country’s bio-economy has grown rapidly, from $10 billion in 2014 to more than $130 billion by 2024. It is estimated that by 2030 it will reach 300 billion dollars.
Biomanufacturing and biofoundry are part of the new BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, which will boost India’s green growth.
The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the BioE3 policy. The BioE3 policy will focus on setting up modern biomanufacturing facilities, biofoundry clusters and bio-AI hubs.
–IANS
SKT/AS
