The Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park, eyeing the significant growth potential of the animal vaccine industry, plans to set up the world's first factory zone dedicated to the development and production of the vaccines, a park administration official said yesterday.
The administration office is scheduled to hold an open tender process to select a qualified contractor to draft a blueprint for the zone's development by the end of next year and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, the official said.
The veterinary vaccines sector continues to contribute greatly to global animal health and nutrition product revenues, the official said, adding that at present, the market value of Taiwan's animal vaccines is estimated at US$50 million (NT$1.6 billion), of which made-in-Taiwan veterinary vaccines accounting for an estimated of US$15 million.
The spokesman said the growth rate in developing countries was the most remarkable, registering a 14 percent year-on-year growth on average.
Based on Taiwan's rich talent pool for veterinary vaccine research and development and its cooperative experiences with foreign companies to produce and export animal vaccines, it is feasible for Taiwan to further collaborate with foreign companies by taking advantages of their brand names and distribution channels to make inroads into the animal vaccine market in Asia, the official said.
The planned laboratory zone will cover an area of 2.24 hectares in the park and will be constructed in accordance with internationally accredited standards.
After the inauguration of the factory zone, animal vaccine sales are expected to reach more than US$60 million annually over the next five years and peripheral industries will be greatly boosted, the official said, adding that it is also very likely to become a dominant player in the development of the international veterinary vaccine industry.
Enterprises operating in the zone will be given preferential treatment, including low-interest loans, tax reductions or exemptions and simplified customs procedures, the official said.
He also said that the government would provide support in R&D, technology, manpower, funds, raw materials, certification and marketing for them.
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