KUALA LUMPUR, July 25, 2013 ~ Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) today received a courtesy visit from the Minister for Agriculture of Tamil Nadu state, Mr. M. Damodaran, at its head office in Jalan Ampang.

The state agriculture minister of Tamil Nadu’s delegation, who will be in Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to 25th July 2013, will be meeting several agencies and local universities to gain better understanding of the agriculture sector in Malaysia as well as seek collaboration opportunities with public and private institutions and organizations in areas of mutual interest.

BiotechCorp’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Dr. Mohd Nazlee Kamal, who was on hand to receive the delegation said that it was an honour and expressed optimism for future collaborations with the state.

“Tamil Nadu state Agriculture department is interested in collaboration in the areas of Palm cultivation to suit their conditions and to explore a commercially viable Millets production and supply chain management program. Biotechcorp sees a potential opportunity to collaborate with agencies such as MOPI, MARDI and Agriculture Ministry to explore these opportunities and identify mutually beneficial commercialization programs,” said Dato’ Nazlee.

Also part of the delegation were two officials from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), one of the largest state universities in India with strong Research, development and Commercialization program in Agro-based products.

TNAU has expressed interest in research collaboration with Malaysian Universities in the areas of Padi, Floriculture and Horticulture. Dato’ Nazlee expressed potential opportunity to explore that could benefit both country Farmers and Business community. One immediate option is investment and commercialisation opportunity in Floriculture.

“One of BiotechCorp’s key roles is to promote investment with both local and foreign entities, and facilitate possible collaborations and investments. We will certainly study possibilities of collaborations and investment opportunities that will be beneficial to both Tamil Nadu and the Malaysian people,” added Dato’ Nazlee.