The Chennai Trade Centre will host a three-day 'International Herbal Expo & Seminar 2003' from July 4 to 6, 2003, organised by ZAK Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd., in association with the Voluntary Health, Education & Rural Development Society (VHERDS).

The display profile of the exhibitors includes manufacturers, exporters, suppliers and traders of herbal plants & medicines, herbal cosmetics, various associations and research initiatives in the field.

C.H.Vidya Sagar Rao, Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, will inaugurate the exhibition and A.Raja, Union Minister of State for Health will inaugurate the seminar sessions.

Participants at the seminar will discuss in detail about the marketing, banking systems and export promotion of herbal products and medicines, Role of SHGs, NGOs and Government, Patent and relevant laws, Good Herbal Practices, Quality Control and Standardization, Research & Development and a special session for farmers and agriculturalists on farming practices of herbal medicines.

Eminent industry experts from different parts of the country and abroad, including Dr.Ramesh C Pandey, Chairman, Xechem Inc, USA are attending the seminars, in addition to the top officials from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Department of Science & Technology. Swami Jayendra Saraswathi and Swami Vijayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam will attend the valedictory function.