I am not making this up. According to a new report in the Bangkok Post, “Priority is being given to promoting biotechnology by the Science and Technology Ministry, which sees the technology as a potential tool to give the economy a much-needed boost.”
Yes – this is the same government that flaunts its disregard for intellectual property rights for, you got it, biopharmaceutical companies!
As Yul Brynner commented in The King and I, “is a puzzlement.”
The ministry's announcement of its pro-biotechnology policy came ahead of the June 17-20 Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organizations (BIO2008) in San Diego.
Satit Chanjavanakul, secretary-general of the Office of the Board of Investment, said the office has already granted investment privileges worth over 19.5 billion baht to about 45 biotech companies.
''We are trying to attract more investment in this promising field by offering tax privileges to any company investing in biotechnology research and development,'' he said.
Okay, three questions:
1. Is the ministry oblivious to or ignorant of what investors in the biotech sector seek and need-- like the primacy of IPR for innovative research?
2. Is the ministry unaware of the high profile compulsory licensing done by their own health ministry? Is this possible?
3. Or is this effort just a form of (very cheeky) damage control?
Let’s go with cognitive (cheeky) dissonance as in, “Yes, you as an investor are vulnerable to us seizing your property. And, yes, please come and transfer your technology, invest in our country, because we are offering certain advantages to you!"
If Thailand wants to become a biotech hub, they’re going to have to do more than … whistle a happy tune.
Yes – this is the same government that flaunts its disregard for intellectual property rights for, you got it, biopharmaceutical companies!
As Yul Brynner commented in The King and I, “is a puzzlement.”
The ministry's announcement of its pro-biotechnology policy came ahead of the June 17-20 Convention of the Biotechnology Industry Organizations (BIO2008) in San Diego.
Satit Chanjavanakul, secretary-general of the Office of the Board of Investment, said the office has already granted investment privileges worth over 19.5 billion baht to about 45 biotech companies.
''We are trying to attract more investment in this promising field by offering tax privileges to any company investing in biotechnology research and development,'' he said.
Okay, three questions:
1. Is the ministry oblivious to or ignorant of what investors in the biotech sector seek and need-- like the primacy of IPR for innovative research?
2. Is the ministry unaware of the high profile compulsory licensing done by their own health ministry? Is this possible?
3. Or is this effort just a form of (very cheeky) damage control?
Let’s go with cognitive (cheeky) dissonance as in, “Yes, you as an investor are vulnerable to us seizing your property. And, yes, please come and transfer your technology, invest in our country, because we are offering certain advantages to you!"
If Thailand wants to become a biotech hub, they’re going to have to do more than … whistle a happy tune.
