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The Wuhan Urban Agglomeration, a newly established comprehensive reform zone, is developing a large-scale biotechnology industry cluster. Hubei will establish a **concentrated development area for biotech industries in the section from Guanshan in Wuhan to Gedian in Ezhou. By 2010, the base was to be developed into a comprehensive biotechnology industry hub with an output value of 50 billion yuan, thereby becoming the largest of its kind in the central region. According to data provided by the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Huan Donghu area, located on the southeast side of the Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Zone (600133 stock details, stock forum), will become the hub of future biotech facilities. The region comprises four core parks: the Guannan Biopharmaceutical Park, the Nanhu Bio-Agricultural Park, the Jiangxia Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Park, and the Gedian Chemical Synthesis of Innovative Drugs Park. The total output value in this area has now exceeded 20 billion yuan. As planned, with 9 **-level engineering technology research centers at its disposal, Nanhu Agricultural Biopark will focus on bio-agriculture. Its goal is to become the largest base in central China for genetically modified plants and animals, biological pesticides and fertilizers, livestock drugs and vaccines, as well as the breeding of high-quality species; it is expected to achieve an annual output value of 18 billion yuan by 2010. Wuhan’s biopharmaceutical industry, which ranks among the top 5 in the country in terms of output value, has its main facilities located in the Guannan Biopharmaceutical Park; it is expected to reach sales figures of 10 billion yuan within 3 years. In addition, Wuhan’s industries related to chemically synthesized innovative drugs and modern traditional Chinese medicine will rely respectively on the Gedian Chemical Synthesis Innovative Drugs Park and the Jiangxia Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Park to establish the largest manufacturing base in central China for antiviral drugs as well as drugs for pediatric and proctological use. By 2010, the two industries will generate sales amounts of 15 billion yuan and 7 billion yuan respectively. An official from the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission said that the creation of biotech industry bases will go hand in hand with the process of regional integration within the Wuhan urban area; “integrating these clusters is in line with the trend toward concentration in the modern biotech industry.” As an important base for biotechnology research and development and industry in our country, Hubei boasts a strong capacity, with over 30 first-class research institutions, 580 biotech companies, and 20,000 professional technicians. And these resources are mainly concentrated in Wuhan and its surrounding cities. Wuhan and Ezhou among them have been designated as the main entities responsible for the development of Wuhan’s **biotechnology industry base, with other regions in the province also serving as important participants. Liu Zhaolin, deputy director of the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission, revealed that in the coming months, Hubei will identify a number of key enterprises and industrial parks within the province, include them in the industrial base framework, and provide them with targeted support. “Difficulty in financing has always been a bottleneck in the development of the biotech industry in Hubei and across the country. ”A official from the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission said, “Establishing a diversified investment and financing system as soon as possible is a prerequisite for the development of the base.” ” Reporters learned from authoritative sources that Hubei Province is working in partnership with the **Development Bank and the Innovation Fund Management Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology to establish a dedicated platform for loans aimed at supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby providing targeted assistance to small and medium-sized biotech enterprises. In addition, since 2008, Hubei Province has allocated 50 million yuan annually as a \"special fund for the biotechnology industry\" for research and development in biotech bases.