Bangalore, said to be India's biotech capital, will host Asia's largest biotechnology fair called "Bangalore Bio 2004" from May 16 to 18, officials said in New Delhi on Thursday.

Addressing a news conference in Delhi, senior officials of the Karnataka government said the three-day event showcasing India's strength in biotechnology will boost business in the country.

The theme of the festival is "Biotechnology for the Billion People."

K M Shivkumar, principal secretary of IT and biotechnology, said: "Biotechnology can help people to provide better healthcare, food and fibre."

"Therefore, we decided to focus on biotechnology after developing IT in our state."

Shivkumar was addressing reporters along with senior bureaucrats.

The fair is expected to have about 700 delegates from 125 organisations, including 25 from abroad. Countries like the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, China, France, Malaysia, Russia, Canada and Denmark have so far confirmed their participation.

States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra are also participating.

Apart from leading industries in the field, academicians, students and educational institutions will take part in the fair spread in an area of 4,500 sq metres. This is the fourth such fair in Bangalore, the first one was held in 2001, officials said.

The fair will have knowledge, education, state and business pavilions. International and national experts will speak on various topics.

Shivkumar also announced the building of a "Biotech Park" in Bangalore just on the pattern of the famed IT Park.

The Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) Biotech Park will have offices and laboratories of leading biotech firms. Having an area of 92 acres, it will be completed in 18 months, he said.