South Africa’s science and technology minister, Derek Hanekom, today launched the government’s new Bio-economy Strategy at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, in Pretoria. The new policy will replace the 13-year-old National Biotechnology Strategy, which was said to be too narrow in its scope. The new strategy will advance science and biotech, though without abandoning economics and making sure that more value is given to the involved parties. Overall, the new Bio-economy Strategy is aimed at bringing government departments together and then help coordinate any projects on which they work together. An example of this would be having the department of health feeding back to scientific and research bodies during the development of medications and vaccines. This would encompass everything from the R&D, to trials, to final deployment. Government bodies that will be working together under the new strategy include the departments of Health; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Environment; Trade and Industry; Rural Development and Land Reform; Energy and Mineral Resources. These departments and their associated industries all work on projects that could influence one another, if not contribute to them directly. With closer coordination there will be fewer resources wasted on achieving a common goal. The new strategy will also align with the National Development Plan – a government roadmap that considers science and technology as key factors for developing the country, mostly because developments in those fields are important for advancing the economy.