[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Na Gwang-guk, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member (Democratic Party, Muan 2), pointed out structural problems such as low patent technology transfer rates and biological industry research capabilities during the administrative audit of the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency under the Economic Tourism and Culture Committee.
According to Assemblyman Na Gwang-guk on the 12th, the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency was established in 2002 with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Jeonnam Province, and related local governments to foster the bio-industry in the Jeonnam region through corporate support and research and development.
Currently, six research institutions including the Food Industry Research Center (Naju), Biopharmaceutical Research Center (Hwasun), Nano Bio Research Center (Jangseong), Natural Resources Research Center (Jangheung), Marine Bio Research Center (Wando), and Eco-friendly Agricultural Life Research Center (Gokseong) are promoting various bio-industries as specialized industries of Jeonnam Province.
Assemblyman Na pointed out, “Among the main tasks, the technology development achievements include 336 patent applications and 177 registrations, but technology transfers are only 45 cases, resulting in a low transfer rate of 13.4%. Despite significant budget and manpower investment, the results were focused on order-based project achievements rather than demand-based research for value-added creation.”
He continued, “Although about 2,000 research analysis and product manufacturing equipment, which are difficult for small and medium enterprises to acquire, have been established, their utilization rate is very low at 56% because they were set up at the time of establishment,” and urged, “Efforts should be made to build new infrastructure.”
Furthermore, he emphasized, “As a Jeonnam Province-funded institution, the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency urgently needs technology development that matches demand and trends to strengthen research and development capabilities, foster Jeonnam’s bio-industry, and revitalize corporate technology commercialization. It is necessary to maintain outdated equipment and review the feasibility of new equipment.”
He also presented alternatives, stating, “The Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency, a subsidiary research institution, is experiencing serious internal conflicts such as violations of maintenance regulations, dual management evaluations, and director recruitment procedures,” and added, “The director needs to make efforts to normalize the agency so that about 200 research personnel, including regular and non-regular employees, can devote themselves to bio-field research and corporate support.”
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