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| Inside a product cultivation lab of B-Farm Biotechnology Joint Stock Company__Photo: Vietnam Pictorial |
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has recently called for the accelerated development and effective application of biotechnology, with the aim of turning it into a key economic and technical sector serving national construction and defence.
Under Directive 13/CT-TTg dated April 21, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees are requested to strengthen the leadership, uphold their responsibility, and synchronously perform tasks and implement solutions to develop biotechnology in their localities and sectors.
Specifically, the Ministry of Science and Technology is tasked to review and improve breakthrough mechanisms and policies, along with pilot models to drive the development and application of biotechnology in potential and competitive sectors, particularly eco-friendly biological products. The ministry is expected to complete such task by May.
In addition, the ministry will also take chage of implementing national science and technology programmes on biotechnology, focusing on high, core and strategic technologies, as well as key products as requested by the Politburo in Resolution 57-NQ/TW, and promptly report the to competent authorities for decision.
Notably, priority will be given to commissioning biotechnology research and development projects with breakthrough potential that are closely aligned with market and business needs. Meanwhile, public-private partnership will be promoted to establish large-scale biotechnology research and development centres, thereby gradually building domestic capacity for technological mastery and innovation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be in charge of developing a national biosafety management and inspection network. Its key responsibilities are to accelerate the development and finalisation of the Scheme on development of the bio-industry into a techno-economic sector in agriculture and environmental protection; and promoting research and application of biotechnology in breeding high-yield, high-quality crops and livestock, as well as aquatic species adaptable to climate change and suitable to Vietnam’s ecological conditions.
The ministry will focus on developing vaccines and biological products for disease prevention in plants and animals; and conserving indigenous and endemic genetic resources while establishing databases and gene banks to support research and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is tasked to promote the development of biotechnology value chains from research and production to commercialisation, in association with the growth of the biotechnology business ecosystem, while encouraging major enterprises to invest in innovation, master core and strategic technologies, and develop high value-added products.
The Ministry of Health will focus on developing the bio-industry in the health sector, accelerating the roadmap of attaining technological self-reliance in the production of next-generation vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, medical biological products, and genetic and cell technologies, with a view to reducing dependence on imports.
It will also promote research, technology transfer, and gradual technological self-reliance, while expanding international cooperation to enhance capacity in disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and the development of biotechnology-based medical products.- (VLLF)
