Galang to become biotechnology hub

Galang to become biotechnology hub

JAKARTA (JP): Galang island, once a safe haven for Vietnamese
refugees, is set to emulate Silicon Valley as a vital center for
technology research.

But unlike the Arizona-based research center, which focuses on
information technology, Galang island will become a research hub
for biotechnology, serving the Asia Pacific region.

Batam Industrial Development Authority head Ismeth Abdullah
said on Thursday that the Asia Pacific region needs a location
where its researchers can sit together and develop biotechnology
research.

"We have received a commitment from a Japanese investor and
Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri supports the plan," Ismeth
said after meeting the Vice President at her office in Jl.
Merdeka Selatan.

He further said that such a project would increase non-oil
exports from Indonesia, with the outcomes of biotechnology
research boosting the country's agricultural sector.

Ismeth was accompanied by the Japanese investor's Indonesian
partner, Rachmat Ismail, president director of Dava Tekno Agro
Mandiri.

"The reasons for choosing Galang island are because it is
separated from residential areas, has good infrastructure and is
located within the free-trade zone," Rachmat said.

Galang is a 300 square kilometer island in Riau province.
Thanks to its former capacity as a sanctuary for refugees in the
1970s, the island possesses a well-equipped airport.

Rachmat identified the Japanese investor as BAYU
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd CEO Kenjiro Nagasaka.

Rachmat was, however, tightlipped about the amount of the
investment and the project timeframe, saying that the issues were
too early to be discussed.

He indicated that copyright and patency issues arising from
research findings could raise problems in the future because
there would be many researchers from different countries working
together on the island.

"This is another problem that needs further deliberation, but
we will find a solution to it," he said. (dja)