Bengaluru: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed Karnataka as the capital of India in her address to biotech startups and entrepreneurs held in Bengaluru on Friday.   

Nirmala Sitharaman, said, "Karnataka has played a significant role in the bio innovation sector and is the only state of the country to have global recognition in the field." 

The Union Minister today visited the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, and Centre for Human Genetics at Helix Biotechnology Park, Bengaluru, and walked around their various state-of-the-art facilities. 

"The Biotechnology Park's vision is to be an important catalyst for the growth of biotech, bioinformatics and related industries in Karnataka and India", said the Finance Minister. 

She further said, "The Central Government has announced startups-friendly policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to strengthening the economy of the country."

During her address, Nirmala Sitharaman observed that the biotechnology ecosystem of Karnataka is a great example of the scientific community, government, academia and industry synergising for growth and development. 

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr C. N. Ashwath Narayan and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Founder & CMD of Biocon group were also present.