ABIC 2011

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference 2011 (ABIC 2011) to be held in the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

ABIC is an essential annual event for industry leaders, investors, policy makers, scientists, researchers and other professionals working in the area of agricultural biotechnology. ABIC provides a unique forum where the latest scientific advances in agricultural biotechnology are presented, and where future directions of the technology are highlighted and discussed. ABIC conferences inform stakeholders of advances, barriers and action options which may influence science and business endeavours on a global scale. The annual conferences provide an opportunity for international stakeholders to learn more about options, opportunities and dealing with challenges through direct exchange of information between stakeholders. The conference provides a forum for agbiotech organisations to demonstrate their capabilities and to seek investment, technology transfer and sales opportunities.

The theme for ABIC 2011 will be "Agricultural Biotechnology for Economic Development". Agricultural Biotechnology is no longer viewed as just part of the agricultural sector. It is now recognized that agricultural biotechnology can play a significant role in economic development at the community, provincial, national and international levels.

ABIC 2011 will address these issues in the following ways:

* Arrange speaker sessions that allow leading International experts to exchange ideas and stimulate innovation;
* Provide informative and educational speaker sessions that highlight the benefits of an AgBio economy to the non-scientist;
* Hold forums that address key policy and risk management issues such as commercial trials;
* Provide an opportunity for AgBio companies and research organizations to meet with industry partners; and
* Bring major investors in the AgBio sector together with AgBio companies and research organizations seeking funding to develop their innovation.