Dear Valued Subscribers

We have come to the end of 2007 and BioMalaysia 2007 was an excellent way to bid farewell to 2007. It was great meeting many of you two weeks ago. As a supporting partner, we trust BioMalaysia served as an avenue for stakeholders in the biotechnology sector to network, forge new collaborations, seek business opportunities, and listen to many experts around the world on current topics in this field.

While welcoming the new year let us reflect back on what we have achieved, how our accomplishments could be improved, and the constraints and hurdles that need to be addressed to put Malaysia in the biotech radar. Areas such as funding, capacity building, human capital, regulatory framework, collaborative initiatives, and private-public ventures are some areas that require extensive attention if not some form of evolution in order to create an enabling environment for research, commercialization and industries to thrive.

This month BiCalert is featuring Dr. Umi Kalsom Abu Bakar, a dedicated scientist from MARDI with strong passion to move research, development and commercialization to the forefront in agriculture biotechnology. Her dedication and passion is something young graduates and scientists need to emulate to create a research culture and spirit that will be the anchor for the local biotech industry.

We hope 2008 will be a promising year for biotechnology and that the nation will propel further in this sector. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all Christians and A VERY HAPPY, PROPSPEROUS AND BLISSFUL NEW YEAR to everyone!

Sincerely

Mahaletchumy Arujanan
Executive Director