The Hindu Business Line : `Higher pvt contribution in research & development must'

Private sector contribution in research and development has to increase for India to reach the target of investing 2 per cent of its GDP in R&D, according to Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Addressing the inaugural of the Rs 25-crore R&D facility set up by ABL Biotechnologies at Ticel Biopark, he said advanced countries such as the UK and Germany invest around 2 per cent of their GDP in R&D. But India, the 11th largest economy, invests just 0.8 per cent. The Department of Science and Technology is committed to meeting the target.

The private sector has to take an active part. Significantly, in advanced countries two-thirds of the R&D investments are by the private sector and one-third by the public sector. In India, the public sector brings in over 75 per cent of the investments, he said.

Globally, industries have recognised the R&D potential here. The "productivity on dollar-spend in R&D in India is the best in the world." Over 220 companies from elsewhere have invested in R&D here, Dr Ramasami said.

For India to invest over two per cent of its GDP in R&D, the outcome of research should be products that enhance the quality of life of the people, he said.

Dr C. Thangamuthu, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathidasan University, said industry-academy interaction should grow. Faculty in advanced countries face the challenge of funding and grants for research, which pushes them towards greater interaction. Educational institutions in R&D here should not be complacent but push for industry tie-ups.

Bharathidasan University's National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria tie-up with ABL Biotechnologies had resulted in commercialisation of products from marine alga. Such partnerships should be encouraged. Infrastructure facilities like Ticel Biopark should encourage a culture of interaction apart from resource and facility sharing.

ABL Biotechnologies is investing over Rs 25 crore in a 10,000 sq ft facility at Ticel Biopark, the biotechnology R&D infrastructure facility, to develop commercial products from marine microbes. The products will find application in health, food and pharma industries.

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