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AgBiotech & Environment
Vanilla might join the plethora of agricultural exports Malaysia has to offer soon, with plans to grow up to 5 million seedlings by 2010. The move by Vanilla Biomatrix Sdn Bhd would see Malaysia overtake Indonesia as the 2 nd largest vanilla exporter. Madagascar is the largest vanilla exporter, with 60% of the world's market, while largest importers are US, France, Germany and the UK .
 
 
Biotechnology should be the key to push the agriculture sector towards realizing its full potential, according to CEO of BiotechCorp, Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood. He surmised that biotechnology would promise higher-yielding clones, superior livestock breeds and fish while adding new high value-added products to the market. 17 out of 51 companies that have been awarded BioNexus status are in agriculture biotechnology and serve as indications of the growing entrepreneurship in the field.
 

A RM78 million center for research and the development of natural resources would be built in Royal Belum, under a memorandum of understanding signed between the Perak Government and Universiti Putra Malaysia . A 600 ha plot of land would be allocated in Belum Valley and approved for the university's research and development into various indigenous species found in the rainforest. The center is expected to give a boost to the biotechnology sector as well as providing 500 jobs.

   
Policy & Medical
Five local researchers have been provided with RM150,000 in funding for their research in cancer-related issues from the National Cancer Council (MAKNA). The grants which are disbursed under the council's Cancer Research Award in collaboration with the Acade my of Sciences of Malaysia would see the funding being channeled into advancing cancer treatment and research. Since being introduced in 2001, the fund has provided for 35 local researchers with the aim of motivating them to conduct better research in cancer.

Malaysia will be taking steps to implement a set of Good Laboratory Practice guidelines in a move to ensure acceptance of its research data by countries under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The move would give companies improved access to business opportunities in OECD countries, a total of 30 countries which produce 60%of the world's goods and services. The GLP will provide a framework of which laboratory studies can be planned, performed, monitored, recorded and archived.

 
Investment & Industry
Biodiesel has been creating much buzz in the industry as a source of wealth creation, due to rising crude oil prices, as well as a search for alternative sources of energy. However, as the industry begins its foray into the development of biodiesel, the biofuel policy has many hurdles to surmount. One of the major concerns would be the prices of agricultural commodities being pushed to record amounts due to strong demands in biofuel. It has been estimated that crude palm oil prices will soon hit the RM4000 per tonne mark, as it is currently trading at US$1000 per tonne. However, players in the biodiesel industry are undeterred by the high palm oil costs as consuming countries are subsidizing the biodiesel consumption.
 

Produce niche agricultural products. This is the message that has been imparted by top agricultural financing bank, Rabobank. According to regional head of food and agribusiness research and advisory, Thomas Lee Bauer, Malaysia could gain a competitive edge against the low-cost wave from countries like Thailand , China , India and Vietnam by stressing on value-added niche agri products. Malaysia is seen as being in a better position than its regional peers in terms of skills and expertise and should bank in on that for better improvement.

In other news, Petra Group is in talks to create a new biotechnology company in partnership with Scotland 's University of St. Andrews by its focus on biophotonics. Biophotonics is a new field in medical science that utilizes light to treat medical conditions such as cancer. Detailed discussions between both parties are slated to culminate with the establishment of the company later in the year.