CII Mission to coincide with annual BIO convention

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) Coinciding with the annual convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO), to be held in Chicago from April 9-12, the Confederation of Indian Industuries(CII) is coordinating an industrialists mission to the US for the fifth consecutive year.

The BIO convention is the largest gathering of biotechnology leaders in the world, attracting more than 18,000 participants, featuring over 180 sessions and over 1600 exhibitors. It is a forum to network, learn about emerging technologies and showcase initiatives to potential partners, investors and collaborators, around the world, a CII release here said.

For the last four years, CII has been organising its annual biotech mission coinciding with the BIO convention. CII is the official contact for the BIO for participation from India and has coordinated with the BIO to have the CII Mission accorded the status of an ''International Delegation at BIO''.

Union Minister of Science, Technology and Ocean Development Kapil Sibal will lead the Government delegation, while, CII Biotechnology Committee Chairperson and Nicholas Piramal India, Strategic Alliances&Communications, Director Dr Swati Piramal will lead the industry delegation.

A special seminar on 'Food&Agriculture- Growth Engines for India' is also being planned at the main BIO Conference to deliberate on possible areas for R&D partnerships and collaboration with other countries. The CII mission will also have several meetings and company visits in Washington DC prior to the convention.

Last year, CII had coordinated a very successful 50-member mission to the US with the Indian biotechnology industry making a strong pitch to attract global attention.

UNI SS PA PC1523