What is BIOTECSUR?

BIOTECSUR is a MERCOSUR biotechnologies platform and part of the BIOTECH-MERCOSUR-EU project. On 3 November 2005 the ALA/2005/017-350 agreement was signed by the European Community and MERCOSUR. The agreement is intended to promote the consolidation of the regional biotechnologies platform for the development and use of technology applications in the MERCOSUR, in order to increase the added value and competitiveness of its products in international markets.

The BIOTECH Program is based on three work areas aimed at consolidating the Platform:

1. develop inventory and diagnosis studies of biotechnology skills, policies and tools in the MERCOSUR region.

2. establish coordination strategies for technology transfer via the regional platform.

3. subsidize biotechnology projects, integrating the countries of the region and actors in private, academic and public sectors in the four countries.

The central issue for the BIOTECSUR platform is the development of real R&D actions in priority areas of interest for the region.