Singapore, Nov 6, 2006: Experts in the field of biotechnology from at least 15 countries in the Asia Pacific Region have come together for the tenth 10th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (APEC-ATCWG) Research, Development and Extension on Agricultural Biotechnology (RDEAB) starting today in Manila, Philippines.

The event will see noted regional biotech leaders such as David Cunningham, Program Leader of the Australian Government - Department of Agriculture, China’s Jinjie Cui, Director of the Plant Protection Department, Taipei’s Chao-Kai HSU, Officer of the Bureau of Food Safety, Department of Health, and Indonesia’s Abdulah Kusumaningprhng, Chief of the Economic Affairs of Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines.

Ms Alicia Ilaga, Director of Department of Agriculture - Biotechnology Program and the designated Project Overseer of the event said, “This year’s APEC meet is expected to facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge among member-economies on emerging research, extension, development issues and technologies on agricultural biotechnology. Through the workshop, APEC member-economies hope to forge commitments in capacity-building and resource sharing.”

“We hope to forge commitments of APEC member-economies to work together, share information and country experiences to hasten research and development of agri-biotech products,” she added.

The APEC ATCWG was formed as an APEC ATC Experts Group in October 1996 to serve as a forum for member-economies to enhance the capacity of agriculture and related sectors.

The APEC ministerial meetings have recognized the important contribution biotechnology can make in expanding agricultural production, and affirmed the importance of transparent, science-based approaches to the introduction and use of biotechnology products.