tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6996488124627231298.post-34198783593273912862008-03-06T10:11:00.000+01:002008-03-06T10:12:29.107+01:00<span style="font-family:arial;">Taipei, March 3 (CNA) The Taiwan Nanotechnology Industry development Association (TANIDA) recently established the country's first international collaboration on nanotechnology with Australia's Nano Business Forum (ANBF), as part of a national program to advance the nation's nanotechnology industries.<br />TANIDA Chairman Wu Maw-kuen signed the "Taiwanese and Australian Nanotechnology Collaboration Initiative" with ANBF CEO Tina Rankovic Feb. 26 at the International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN) in Melbourne.<br />"Taiwan's world-famous IC industry and its government-level National Science and Technology Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are the key factors making the cooperation possible, " Song Tsing- Tang, the national program's CEO and secretary-general of TANIDA, who had just returned from Melbourne, said Monday.<br />The two countries will seek economic growth through the commercial application of nanotechnology, while working together on a range of activities, projects and information exchanges that will facilitate the uptake of nanotechnology businesses in both nations, according to the initiative's memorandum of understanding.<br />Song refused to divulge further details of the collaboration, citing commercial confidentiality.<br />Taiwan has amassed an estimated more-than NT$300 billion (US$9.68 billion) in nanotechnology production value since the national program started in 2003.<br />Song also said the collaboration will be mutually beneficial, noting that Australia's strong nanotechnology sector can help compensate Taiwan's weakness in areas such as nanobiotechnology.<br />Such national-level collaboration that boosts technology between neighboring countries is becoming increasingly common, with the ANBF signing a similar initiative with Japan's Nanotechnology Business Creation Initiative in 2007, showing Australia's determination to explore the Asia-Pacific market through nanotechnology alliances.<br />The ANBF was formed in 2006 as a national body representing and promoting Australian industries and companies involved in nanotechnology, with the aim of facilitating links between key stakeholders including government, funding, regulatory and research entities.<br />TANIDA, a brainchild of the national program, was launched in 2004 to coordinate academia-industry collaboration in developing value-added nanotechnology products.<br />The relationship between the two government- sponsored organizations was forged during Taiwan Nano 2007, one of the premier trade exhibitions in nanotechnology in Asia. (By Yeh Fang-hsun)</span>Nanowarphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00228925756811150773noreply@blogger.com