Client: Ministry of Sciences and Technology Media: Clarin newspaper | Published in the printed edition Date: 06/22/08
Section: Economic supplement
Argentina’s comparative advantages
THE NEW WAVE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Forecasts say software and IT outsourcing will ride new waves too. The country is known for biotechnology in food production. There are over 80 companies already set up and other 58 business incubators listed.
Several of the major biotech companies in Argentina enjoyed of the sun and businesses at 2008 Bio Convention in San Diego, the greatest international biotechnology convention. The Argentine representatives had their participation at said convention secured: it was an institutional stand organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is the largest gathering of biotech exhibitors”, stated the Deputy Secretary of International Trade, Mr. Luis María Kreckler. He also stated that 30 countries were represented, over 300 public officials of different states and nations were present, and over 20,000 attendees. “Our presence is growing and we are no longer a “surprise”; we are now considered as an exhibitor”, stated said government official. An example of this is shown by the Argentine Minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation’s participation, Mr. Lino Barañao, as one of the speakers of a panel discussion called "The Dynamics of a Globalized World and Biotech Industry”.
Kreckler stated that "in the last six years, as a result of an adequate regulatory environment and promotion policies, Argentina positioned itself in the world today as the second larger producer of genetically-modified organisms (GMO)”, adding that “there are brains in our country and we are seen as one of the leading country in biotechnology”.
The Argentine representation committee was formed by companies such as Bio Sidus, Laboratorio Elea, Tecnoplant S.A., Biocerers, Biogénesis, Bagó S.A., Berken IP, Romikin, Indear, Laboratorio Biológico Tandil, and other companies of the technological group hub in Rosario. And one of the “gems” was Bio Sidus development "which allows a genetically modified cow to produce insulin in its milk” ensured Kreckler.
The ambassador assessed that "biotechnology does not constitute in itself an industrial sector, but a technological platform that transversally interacts with a number of disciplines. And the fact that it can be applied to several productive areas drives increase production and country's competitiveness ". He also said that “this industry is riding a similar wave as once were ridden by software and IT outsourcing fields”.
He further stated that, in Argentina, “There are, at least, 80 companies engaged in biotechnology, and 58 business incubators in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Mendoza, Río Negro and San Luis. Most of them are university centers".
He added that two countries in this region are known for their activities in the biotech field: “Brazil is known for biofuel production, while Argentina is one of the largest biotech crop producers".
Among the fields in which biotechnology has had a significant development in Argentina, or in which it offers a considerable potential growth are in the fields of agriculture, food, human health, diagnosis, and animal health, and other industrial fields such as chemicals and environment.
Argentina participated for the third time in this convention, which previously took place in Boston and Chicago. This year, the event was seasoned with a luncheon offered by the Governor of California, Arnold "Terminator" Schwarzenegger, who declared San Diego as the "the Biotech Capital of the World".
