November 15, 2001

The newly created Taiwan Biotech Association (TBA), the largest ever of its kind in Taiwan, announced its establishment on November 5. In his address to the assembled guests, President Chen Shui-bian stated that although the biotech industry in Taiwan is still in its infancy, there is consensus between it and the government that biotech will become the backbone of the country's future development. He also noted that within the two bodies there is agreement on the integration of resources, the division of tasks and the cultivation of biotech talents. President Chen added that the government would make every effort to encourage Taiwan's major conglomerates to become actively involved in the biotech industry.

Hsiao-shin Lin, the first elected president of the TBA, said that the association is made up of top experts from a number of fields, including professors, government officials and leaders of major enterprises. Lin expects the TBA to play the role of a bridge between government and the biotech industry in Taiwan.

Lin also expects that the TBA will function as a link between the biotech industries of China and Taiwan. As both will soon be members of the World Trade Organization, it is inevitable that industry on the two sides of the Strait will have frequent interaction. However, most Taiwan businessmen currently do not have a great deal of knowledge about the biotech industry in China. Therefore, the first task of the TBA will be to establish a databank of biotech enterprises in China. This will be the first of its kind in Taiwan.

Another important role of the TBA is to act as an access window to China's market for Taiwan's biotech industry. It is estimated that by the middle of next year the TBA will start to organize business delegations to China and hold forums on investment in the greater China market.

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