• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Stocks

• Quotes
• SE Diary
• Scoreboard
• Open-End Mutual Fund

Cross Currency

• Rates
  
  

Shipping

• Ports
  
  

Archives

• Yesterday
• Datewise
• Resources

Group Sites

• The Hindu
• Business Line
• Sportstar
• Frontline
• The Hindu eBooks
• The Hindu Images

G. Chandrashekhar

San Francisco , June 9

THANKS to a series of initiatives taken by policymakers, the State of Iowa in the United States has emerged as major centre for bioscience industry. The leadership and high level of support for the biotechnology industry is seen accelerating growth.

The knowledge base and investments to promote life sciences have ensured that Iowa leads the nation in total value of biotech crops ($4 billion). The State is home to three public universities that are renowned for research capabilities in the plant, health and human biosciences. The State facilitates interface between research establishments and industry, accelerating the opportunity to commercialise and benefit from research work.

The Iowa Values Fund, established last year by the Iowa Government, is a $503-million economic development initiative that focuses on three key areas of industry including life sciences. The fund is committed to providing direct financial assistance, university research and development, workforce training and more.

Speaking to a select international media at the BIO 2004, Mr Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor of Iowa, said, "In Iowa, we are committed to transforming the economy and strengthening the quality of life to continuously improve our State's thriving business climate."

The Governor has led the State to develop new businesses with the help of an aggressive venture capital programme that combines public and private sector investment. Consistent with his vision of making the State energy independent, Iowa in the last three years has nearly tripled its ethanol production and will next year become the nation's leading producer of biofuel.

Iowa is amongst the largest producers of corn (maize), which is used to produce ethanol - an environment-friendly fuel.

More Stories on : Bio-tech & Genetics

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Climate changes could impact business practices

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line