SLINTEC inaugurates nanotechnology centre

29 June 2012 04:49 am Views - 6197

The Sri Lanka I nstitute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) together with the Ministry of Technology and Research yesterday laid the foundation for the Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE) which will be at the heart of a world-class Nanotechnology Park in Sri Lanka.

The project is envisaged to develop a 50 acre land in Pitipana, Homagama into a Nanotechnology Park. The Park will be developed in a phased manner through investments from the government and private sector.

The state-of the art NCE will be host to a series of high tech labs with the latest equipment managed and operated by a highly skilled team of scientists. It will focus on Research and Development, Incubation for taking research into commercialization and provide facilities for Corporate Research and Business Development.

The NCE will also offer a wide range of essential Centralized Services enabling the hub concept that will drive operations across the Park. Leading experts from around the globe will have tenures at the NCE and they will be available for consultation to organizations that will reside in the Park enabling them to continue to push the boundaries of innovation.

“Our vision is to position Sri Lanka as a leading destination for Nanotechnology research & development by creating a worldclass innovation platform and contributing significantly to national economic development. This Nanotechnology Center of Excellence will put SLINTEC firmly on its path to realizing this vision,” says Chairman SLINTEC, Mahesh Amalean.

The second phase of the Park will focus on expansion of Research and Business Development for the Private and Public Sectors in Sri Lanka and potential foreign direct investment from Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through attractive incentives, terms and conditions.

The third phase will be about expansion of Advanced Technology Industries, Institutes and expansion of Centralized Services. The fourth phase will provide Housing and Recreation for the Community of the Park and Education Facilities related to the Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence (NCE). The holistic plan is to integrate with the surrounding area and connect with the larger Knowledge Hub master plan for Homagama.

The Nanotechnology Park will enable companies and institutes to invest and develop their research centres, incubation facilities and pilot plants in an environment of an Advanced Technology Park. These companies, whether they be MNCs or SMEs will be provided attractive incentives to set up their facilities in the Park.

These along with the environment of Open Innovation and access to the Nanotechnology Center of Excellence (NCE) will give any company or institute a considerable advantage.

The Board of Investment (BOI) in Sri Lanka offers many incentives and tax holidays to companies, both local and foreign, that invest in all aspects of economic development. As such, the BOI will play a major role in the development of the Nanotechnology Park in Homagama. SLINTEC will work with the BOI and the Government to secure the maximum benefits and incentives for all companies that invests in the Nanotechnology Park and in Nanotechnology research and development in Sri Lanka.