BioValley (Malaysia)
Encyclopedia
BioValley is a cluster proposed by the government to attract the biotechnological industry to Malaysia http://www.nbbnet.gov.my/plan.htm It was planned as a launch pad for Malaysia, biotechnological industry, as the Multimedia Super Corridor and Cyberjaya
was intended for the IT industry. It was also considered an important component for the Vision 2020 plan and Malaysia's future as a knowledge economy
. It was originally intended to be situated in Dengkil
three research institutions are planned for the first phase, the National Institute for Genomics and Molecular Biology, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical and Neutraceutical Biotechnology and National Institute for Agro-Biotechnology http://www.mtc.com.my/news/pr124.htm. Its location would put it within the Multimedia Super Corridor and in close proximity and to the south of the IT hub of Cyberjaya
and the administrative capital of Putrajaya
. It would also therefore be within reasonable proximity to the capital of Kuala Lumpur
.
It was first proposed under the Eighth Malaysia Plan, however its development was largely kept under wraps http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v424/n6945/full/424118b_fs.html. This was widely report to be because the government wished to avoid a repeat of the perceived failure to meet the lofty goals announced as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor. The project was launched with limited fanfare on 20 May 2003 by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
. Compared to the launch of the Multimedia Super Corridor reporting of the launch and plans in the government backed media was notably less extensive.
Its current status is uncertain. Earlier reporting indicated it would be ready by 2006 http://www.asialaw.com/default.asp?page=14&ISS=7723&SID=320570 and complete by 2009 http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_4be08c54-cb73c03a-1d126140-2151533e but there has been a notable lack of information about its progress. In 2005, it was reported by the journal Nature
as a failed project http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050801/full/436620a.html. According to other sources, the latest roadmap is that BioValley will be developed from the existing centres of excellence rather than centred in Dengkil. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical and Neutraceutical Biotechnology will still be in located in Dengkil albeit with strong links to the Universiti Sains Malaysia
. http://www.bic.org.my/?action=localscenario
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan
RM2 billion was allocated for biotechnology (physical and soft infrastructures). A further RM2.3 billion was allocated for setting up a National Institute of Cancer, a National Forensic Institute and a National Institute for Oral Health although the location of these institutes is uncertain. RM4.4 billion was allocated for modernising agriculture farming and RM2.6 billion for support services related to agriculture.
Cyberjaya
Cyberjaya is a town with a science park as the core that forms a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia. It is located in the district of Sepang, Selangor and is situated about 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia...
was intended for the IT industry. It was also considered an important component for the Vision 2020 plan and Malaysia's future as a knowledge economy
Knowledge economy
The knowledge economy is a term that refers either to an economy of knowledge focused on the production and management of knowledge in the frame of economic constraints, or to a knowledge-based economy. In the second meaning, more frequently used, it refers to the use of knowledge technologies to...
. It was originally intended to be situated in Dengkil
Dengkil
Dengkil is a small yet well developed Malaysian town in the Sepang district of Selangor that lies between Cyberjaya to the north and Salak Tinggi to the south. In recent years, Dengkil has benefited from the growth of Putrajaya which is located nearby....
three research institutions are planned for the first phase, the National Institute for Genomics and Molecular Biology, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical and Neutraceutical Biotechnology and National Institute for Agro-Biotechnology http://www.mtc.com.my/news/pr124.htm. Its location would put it within the Multimedia Super Corridor and in close proximity and to the south of the IT hub of Cyberjaya
Cyberjaya
Cyberjaya is a town with a science park as the core that forms a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia. It is located in the district of Sepang, Selangor and is situated about 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia...
and the administrative capital of Putrajaya
Putrajaya
Putrajaya is a planned city, located 25km south of Kuala Lumpur, that serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, due to the overcrowding and congestion in the Kuala Lumpur areas...
. It would also therefore be within reasonable proximity to the capital of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
It was first proposed under the Eighth Malaysia Plan, however its development was largely kept under wraps http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v424/n6945/full/424118b_fs.html. This was widely report to be because the government wished to avoid a repeat of the perceived failure to meet the lofty goals announced as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor. The project was launched with limited fanfare on 20 May 2003 by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad
Mahathir bin Mohamad
Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad . is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest serving Prime Minister. His political career spanned almost 40 years.Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir...
. Compared to the launch of the Multimedia Super Corridor reporting of the launch and plans in the government backed media was notably less extensive.
Its current status is uncertain. Earlier reporting indicated it would be ready by 2006 http://www.asialaw.com/default.asp?page=14&ISS=7723&SID=320570 and complete by 2009 http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_4be08c54-cb73c03a-1d126140-2151533e but there has been a notable lack of information about its progress. In 2005, it was reported by the journal Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
as a failed project http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050801/full/436620a.html. According to other sources, the latest roadmap is that BioValley will be developed from the existing centres of excellence rather than centred in Dengkil. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical and Neutraceutical Biotechnology will still be in located in Dengkil albeit with strong links to the Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public university with its main campus in Penang, Malaysia. There are three branch campuses: one in mainland Penang , one in Kelantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and a offshore collaboration with a university in India...
. http://www.bic.org.my/?action=localscenario
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan
Ninth Malaysia Plan
Ninth Malaysian Plan abbreviated as '9MP', is a comprehensive blueprint prepared by the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department and the Finance Ministry of Malaysia with approval by the Cabinet of Malaysia to allocate the national budget from the year 2006 to 2010 to all...
RM2 billion was allocated for biotechnology (physical and soft infrastructures). A further RM2.3 billion was allocated for setting up a National Institute of Cancer, a National Forensic Institute and a National Institute for Oral Health although the location of these institutes is uncertain. RM4.4 billion was allocated for modernising agriculture farming and RM2.6 billion for support services related to agriculture.