 After
registering considerable growth in the Information
Technology (IT) sector now Andhra Pradesh joined
the great Biotechnology race with neighbouring Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu. AP announced its own biotech policy,
offering major sops to companies setting up shop in the
state. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu,
unveiled the Biotechnology Policy-2001, on May
7, 2001. The policy incorporates setting up of a 300-acre
Biotech Park, to offer world class infrastructure,
Rs. 50-crore Biotechnology Development Fund, drastic
reduction in sales tax and concessional land.
 The
proposed Biotech Park in the policy would come up at Turkapally,
adjacent to ICICI Knowledge Park, is a novel concept and
first of kind in the country. It will provide the necessary
infrastructure and suitable environment for development
of biotechnology sector. It would focus on bio-pharma,
health care and agri companies in the first phase. The
infrastructure includes Genome Valley encompassing
Shamirpet, Medchal, Keesara and Uppal spread
over 600 square km. According to the policy the Biotech
companies would be able to enjoy a lower sales tax of
just 1 per cent down from the present 8 per cent to 16
per cent, on all high-end biotech products, made within
the state. Apart from this, they would also be able to
book space at a concession at the proposed 600 square
kilometre Genome Valley.
Announcing the highlights of the policy, Dr. M.V. Rao,
chairman of the biotechnology programme committee of the
state government, said the main aim of the policy was
to leverage on the existing strengths of the state for
rapid commercialisation of biotechnology.
 "Andhra
Pradesh is already very strong in the field of biotechnology
with the existence of numerous centres of excellence in
healthcare, agriculture and biotechnology. It has already
earned the reputation of being the pharmaceutical and
science capital of the country. We want to leverage on
such strengths through this exclusive biotechnology policy,"
Rao said. The policy document says, the State has
the competitive advantages over other States. It has rich
bio-resources, is a leader in pharmaceuticals (Hyderabad
being bulk drug capital of India and known for invention
of new molecules), has a network of research and development
institutes (CCMB, CDFD, IICT, ICRISAT etc), large scientific
and technical manpower (University of Hyderabad, Osmaina
University etc), convergence of IT and BT and leading
biotech companies (Shanta Biotech, Bharat Biotech and
Dr. Reddy's Labs etc.).
 According
to Mr. M.V. Rao, the government would also try to use
its enormous strengths in information technology (IT)
for the growth of bioinfomatics in the state. For rapid
growth of the sector, the government has identified diagnostics,
therapeutics, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, agriculture,
marine and industrial biotechnology and contract research
as some of the thrust areas for the growth of biotechnology,
Dr. Rao added.
 "To
give major boost to the sector, the government has decided
to provide uninterrupted power supply to all biotech companies
to be set up in the Biotech parks, and offer special exemptions
related to labour laws," he added. The ready
benefits include ready-to-occupy flatted factories, National
Resource Centre to be set up by the Central Department
of Biotechnology, single-window clearance and instant
customs clearance. The Biotech Park project would be supported
in the form of grants, subsidies, sales tax concession
and soft loans and will have state-of-the-art communication
facilities.
Appreciating the features of the policy, Mr. Naidu called
on entrepreneurs to invest in the biotechnology sector
as the future belonged to and depended on it. "Anybody
who wants to earn money should invest in this sector as
it is the future," he said.
http://www.andhrapradesh.com/apwebsite/biotechnology_policy-2001.pdf |
1:42:15 AM 
Trade
and Commerce
