Singapore: Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has launched a new website introducing the country's top biotech firms and medical institutions. An initiative of Taipei City-based Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, the website integrates public and private sector resources to assist in product and service promotion abroad.

The initiative will further boost Taiwan's burgeoning biotech sector help secure business and technology tie-ups with international partners. Speaking at the launch ceremony, premier, Mr Mao Chi-kuo, said, "The website will encourage partnerships boasting Taiwan's leading-edge R&D capabilities and will play an important part in transforming Taiwan's economy from efficiency-orientated to innovation-driven."

"It is important we capitalize on the momentum of the website and let major buyers experience the quality of Taiwan's products and services firsthand," said an MOHW official.

"With commitment and perseverance, it should not be long before homegrown producers of pharmaceuticals and medical materials such as Microbio, OBI Pharma and Sinphar Group, as well catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and liver transplantation at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, are known worldwide," he added.