The role of government in developing the biotechnology industry: a South African perspective

Abstract

Biotechnology has been identified as one of the key sectors for future economic growth in many countries, with South Africa being no exception. Consequently, the South African government introduced the National Biotechnology Strategy (NBS) in 2001 to modernise the government’s biotechnology institutions and to develop the biotechnology industry, given a changing political and technical environment. An important product of the NBS was the establishment of biotechnology regional innovation centres (BRICs) in 2002, which aimed to develop and commercialise the biotechnology industry. The BRICs, however, were effectively replaced by the creation of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in 2008, which also formed part of the 10-year plan of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The TIA’s aims are to develop South Africa’s ability to convert local research and development (R&D) into commercial products and services. This paper will explore recent changes in the role of the South African government in its attempts to support and develop the biotechnology industry.