Bangalore: Bangalore India Bio 2013, which is India's premier biotech forum renowned for calibrating the pulse of the biotechnology industry, started in the biotech capital of India, Bangalore, on February 4, 2013.

This three day event, which is expected to witness over 800 delegates, saw two important memorandum of understandings (MoUs) being signed on day one. One was between the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS) and the Scottish Development International (SDI) and another between KBITS and Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The agreement between KBITS and SDI will promote and encourage investment opportunities between the industry and academic communities in India and Scotland. The MoU was signed by Ms Anne MacColl, CEO, SDI, and Mr Vijay Shankar, executive director, KBITS.

Ms MacColl said that, "Over the last decade, we have seen significant growth in trade and investment between India and Scotland. Karnataka is one of the pioneering states in India to offer a conducive environment for the life sciences sector to develop and grow. With one of the largest life sciences clusters in Europe, Scotland is well placed to provide expertise and collaborative opportunities to benefit both the countries."

There are already many Indian companies such as Piramal Healthcare, Axsys Technology, and Tata Consultancy Services, among others that are operating in Scotland. Omega Diagnostics, a Scottish company that manufactures, develops and distributes medical diagnostic products and in-vitro test kits has its office in India as well. Another Scottish firm, Touch Bionics is looking at entering Indian market with its i-LIMB, first fully articulating bionic hand.