Bangalore: The Centre will announce a comprehensive National Biotechnology Policy in the next six to seven months, Union Biotechnology Secretary M K Bhan said in Bangalore today (July 11, 2004).

Addressing the inaugural of the "Biotechnology for a Billion People" conference, as part of Bangalore Bio 2004, the annual Biotech event of Karnataka, Bhan said the national policy would outline clearly the Government's thrust in the field including attracting investment and enforcing regulations.

He said a commission will be set up to frame the national biotech policy that would include crucial elements from the Mashelkar committee on pharma biotech and M S Swaminathan committee on Agri biotech.

Bhan said a group will frame guidelines and advise the Biotechnology department on the model to be adopted in public private partnership in this segment.

"We have always relied on public funding in the Biotech sector. Now, we have to break the barrier and look at ways to partner with the private sector," he said.

Bhan said the Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal was studying IPR issues that would come into effect by 2005.

Thailand Science and Technology Korn Thapparansi, in his inaugural address, invited Indian biotech investment into his country and expressed interest to forge partnership with India.