Businesses and individuals involved in bio-innovation are invited to register on the Bioeconomy SA Portal, a web-based platform that collects information from different sources and integrates it into a single, uniform and secure user interface.
The portal, an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), is expected to become a significant tool for facilitating strategic decisions, providing information services, and leveraging expertise and resources to create a value-adding service for the country's biotechnology industry.
The portal stems from the national Bio-economy Strategy, which was launched in 2014 to harness bio-innovation for economic growth and social development in South Africa. The DSI champions the strategy in order to increase the contribution of sectors such as agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems, the environment and health innovation to inclusive economic growth.
Dr Maneshree Jugmohan-Naidu, Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at the DSI, believes the Bioeconomy SA Portal is long overdue. "It's a necessary resource to harness bio‑innovation for the growth of our economy and the well-being of our people, to make sure that the future is possible," Dr Jugmohan-Naidu said.
The portal was designed to improve the exchange of information among bio‑innovation stakeholders, and thereby to stimulate communication, improve cohesion and promote collaboration. Data design and quality management, as well as powerful analytical and reporting capabilities, were incorporated into the design to ensure customised value propositions for all users.
The content of the portal is currently being managed on behalf of the DSI by Biosafety South Africa, a national technology platform within the Technology Innovation Agency. The aim is to provide a national resource that informs both public and private players about the status of biotechnology in South Africa, while contributing to the national value chain by showcasing the bio-innovation ecosystem, resources, opportunities, news and events.
Dr Hennie Groenewald, Executive Manager of Biosafety South Africa, says the success and value of the portal will depend on the participation of the bio-innovation community.
"It has therefore been designed intuitively to allow individuals and organisations to easily register and access only the most relevant information," Dr Groenewald said. "Registered members are encouraged to upload content and engage to further build the South African bioeconomy and unlock synergistic value."
The Bioeconomy SA Portal can be found at www.bioeconomy.co.za
To follow and like on social media, visit –
Twitter: @BioeconomySA
LinkedIn: @Bioeconomy SA Portal
Facebook: @Bioeconomy SA Portal
For media enquiries, contact:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 400 5750
E-mail: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Zimasa Jam Jam
E-mail: zimasa@biosafety.org.za
