By Sira Habibu

KUALA LUMPUR - Pharmaceutical giants view Malaysia as an ideal location to carry out diagnostic and clinical trials for the global market.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said priority could be given to such value-added trials as Malaysia's multi-ethnic composition represented a big portion of the global population.

"This also augurs well for Malaysia that aspires to be a successful global biotechnology hub," he said, adding that the country had the competitive edge as it had the necessary resources.

Najib said this after chairing the 4th IAP meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.

The Prime Minister also said a powerhouse research centre would be established in Malaysia to promote research and development.

Najib said Malaysia has attracted 135 Bio Nexus companies with a total investment of $623mil

"These companies had recorded revenues in the excess of $290mil," he said, adding that they had also created more than 2,260 knowledged workers.

Bio nexus programme is a key element of the National Biotechnology Policy.

"Currently the biotechnology industry contributes 2.2% to the GDP (Gross Domestic Produce). The target is to achieve 2.5% by 2011," said Najib.

Malaysia would also implement the green economy policy to reduce carbon monoxide emission.

University of Aberdeen Institute of Medical Science lecturer Professor Anne Glover said Malaysia could serve as a one-stop centre for clinical trials due to its multi-ethnic population.

"Pharmaceutical companies are interested to use the resources here," she said.

Alexandre F. Jetzer-Chung of Novartis International AG said Malaysia had a bigger potential as it had impressive information technology and medical facilities.

-The Star/Asia News Network