After the successful conduct of the elections to the Governing Body of ABLE for the new term, 2024-26 in January, the team has taken over their responsibilities on April 1, 2024. As I have been re-elected as the President for the new term too, I would like to offer a very warm welcome to the new GB members and also to all the members who have entrusted us with this great responsibility.

We very much look forward to the support and cooperation, in continuing with our mission to make ABLE the most valuable association for all our members in particular and the BT fraternity in general, working together with all the Stakeholders.

It’s time for both change and continuity. Continuity because some of the GB members continue along with me in the new team. Six members are serving on the GB for the first time and they will bring in new ideas and networks to propel the association into the next era. Overall, a perfect blend of experience and freshness in the team.

It was a challenging three years that went by, including the Covid recovery phase, in spite of this ABLE has achieved many significant things.
 
During April 2021- 24 we could accomplish the following:

a) We could redraft the 'ABLE bylaws' with guidance from Dr K K Narayanan and K&S Partners and approved by all of you, now the revised ABLE BYLAWS is in force since 2023. And one of the significant changes is that the Governing Body will serve hereafter only for TWO years and not Three.

b) To support Biotech development and initiative in the regions, we had committed to open 'ABLE regional chapters'. We have now opened the Western region Chapter @ Venture Centre, Pune, represented by Dr V Premnath, Eastern Region Chapter @ KIIT Bhuvaneshwar, represented by Dr Mrityunjay Suar and also we have signed In March the agreement to open the Northern Region Chapter @ IIT Kanpur - Noida Office, represented by Dr Amitabha Bandophadhya.  This will ensure our efforts in the region are stepped up.

c) With the Membership drive initiated by ABLE secretariat, we have added five more Gold members and dozens of new members in the other categories and these efforts will continue.

d) The monthly 'Webinar' initiative taken during COVID to keep our members and BT fraternity updated on the Industry progress was very well received and we are continuing this with relevant and interesting topics with expert speakers and is gaining more popularity. This will be continued and thanks to Mr Ravi Bhola and Dr Shriram Raghavan.

e) ABLE has been supporting DBT/BIRAC in preparing the 'BioEconomy report' every year.  In the 2023 report we deep dived into the 'Bio Industrial sector' and realized this segment has made tremendous contributions to boost the BioEconomy with BioSolutions, through use of Enzymes and Microbes, in the Food, Feed and Biofuel areas. We have made these significant corrections in the BioEconomy report.

f) ABLE's efforts in ensuring the 'Biodiversity Laws' are revisited to support innovations and entrepreneurship was well received by the government and we now have the revised regulation to support this segment. Thanks to all the support from Mr Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Dr P M Murali and Dr Malathi Lakshmi Kumaran for playing an important role in this initiative.

g) Our successful student outreach activity through 'voice for BT' public speaking contest, is being continued and we have now re-introduced the 'BEST Awards' program also for BT students.

h) Our collaboration with 'State Governments' to promote Biotechnology, similar to our efforts in Karnataka, has attracted a few other states like Gujarat and Odisha and are keen on knowing their contribution to the BioEconomy and how they could increase it further. This is a very positive development for the growth of BT segments in the regions and we have enquiries from a few other states for support from ABLE. 

i) DBT & BIRAC have been seeking our support for not only the BioEconomy report, but also for conducting the 'Global Bio India' and 'Bio Manufacturing' initiatives, which is very positive for the benefit of our members
 
j) We have revived the ABLE 'India Pavilion' efforts at 'BIO US' which will have prominently DBT/BIRAC and State Governments participation. This will continue to benefit BT Pharma Companies and Startups who will be participating in the exhibition, in a big way.

Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, our Hon. Non-executive Chairperson, has been a great source of inspiration and support as always. Our past Presidents, who are our governing council members, have been contributing and guiding us with their vast experience and we thank them all.

I am happy to note that our BT segment continues to perform strongly and we are confident of the BioEconomy crossing the $ 150 billion target very soon. There are other exciting developments too to support the industry. The Department of Biotechnology is going to unveil an ambitious national Biomanufacturing Initiative to boost the domestic production of key biotech products. 

There is an opportunity for our members to showcase their best to the world through the India Pavilion, set up by ABLE at the BIO San Diego, California from June 3-6, 2024. DBT-BIRAC will be conducting the next edition of the Global Bio India 2024 in September and the Bengaluru Tech Summit is slated for November 2024. We look forward to all your participation and support.

Together, we shall strive for the growth of the BioEconomy of the country.