Print

Mail

wiki links

New agricultural biotechnology park opens office today

The preparatory office of the nation's first agricultural biotechnology park will be opened today in Pingtung County, as the Executive Yuan is scheduled to approve two draft bills for the establishment and management of the facility on Wednesday.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony along with Lee Chien-chuan (李健全), vice chairman of the Cabinet's Council of Agriculture.

According to Lee, the establishment of the NT$8.3 billion park is expected to boost the biotechnological edge of the agriculture sector.

"By 2014, we hope to see the park's annual production value reach NT$18 billion and annual revenues generated by patented agricultural products exceed NT$2 billion," he said.

"We also hope to create 8,000 job opportunities by 2014," he said.

Lee added that the government is duty-bound to help the agricultural sector upgrade its competitive edge, especially following the nation's accession to the World Trade Organization in January last year.

"We've been drawing up the two drafts since September 2001, after the Economic Development Advisory Conference concluded in August 2001 that the government should establish an agricultural biotechnology park within six to 12 months," Lee said.

As the Cabinet is scheduled to approve the draft bills for the establishment of the agricultural biotechnology park and for the organic structure of the bureau in charge of the Pingtung park on Wednesday, Lee said that the council will open an office today to coordinate the establishment of the park.
This story has been viewed 1942 times.