The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) and A.P. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants is organizing a two day “National Seminar on Investment Opportunities in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Based Industries” on October 10-11, 2003 at KLN Prasad Auditorium, at FAPCCI premises.

The event is expected to provide platform for business professionals, scientists, policy makers and new entrepreneurs to interact and discuss on various issues related to the sector. The seminar may also draw attention of the venture capitalists and financial institutions to invest in A.P. in this sector.

The Govt. of A.P. will be the principal sponsor for the program, whereas National Medicinal Plant Board will be the sponsor while Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy Department (Govt. of A.P), Society for Participatory Development & Research (SPDR) and Bharatiya Vaidya Vidhan is acting as co-sponsors for the program.

The speakers (confirmed) include Vinayshil Gautam, Dalmia Chair Professor, IIT, New Delhi; J. R. Sarangal, CGM, NABARD; D.G.Prasad, CGM, EXIM Bank, Mumbai; R.Parthasarathy, Partner, JMPS Sanjivini Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Chennai; Dr. Vijay Kumar, Sr. Scientific Officer, IICT, Hyderabad; Dr. M.V.Rao, Executive Vice Chancellor, ANGRAU; Dr. P. Pushpangadan, Director, National Botanical Research Institute and CEO, Amrutanjan Ltd.

The speakers (to be confirmed) include P.D.Narang, Group Director, Commercial and Corporate, Dabur; Dr. K. V.Raghavan, Director, IICT, Hyderabad; Dr. Sudhakar Johnson, Biotechnologist, Dabur; Dr. C.K. Katiyar, Head Dabur Research Foundation; Dr. Narayan, Hindustan Lever Ltd., Mumbai; Dr. I. Sanjeev Rao, Retd. Additional Director, Ayurveda; L.V.Saptarishi, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, GOI; Pramod Sharma, President, ADMA, Mumbai; and Ravi Prasad, CEO, Himalaya Drug Company, Bangalore.

Topics that are to be discussed during the seminar include-
*Medicinal and Aromatic Plant based industry- Challenges & opportunities
*Financing options in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant based industry sector
*Entry strategies in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants based industry sector
*Recent developments in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant based industry research
*Current technologies for industrial application relating to bio-actives from Indian herbal resources
*Role of biotechnology in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants based industry
*Quality control of herbal medicines in India
*Regulatory mechanism and policy issues in medicinal and aromatic plants sector
*Herbal Product Industry- Case studies

According to ORG Marg, the Rs. 2, 500 crore herbal market has been growing at 25 per cent and is likely to double by 2005. Of this, while Rs.1800 crore OTC (Over The Counter market) has seen a 30 per cent growth, the Rs. 700 crore ethical (sold only through prescriptions) product market grew at 18 per cent to 20 per cent.

The global market for medicinal plants and their products is likely to grow to $ 5 trillion by the year 2050 reflecting an annual growth rate of 14 per cent in the area of alternative medicine, as per WHO. Currently the share of Indian exports is 0.5 per cent of the global market, while that of China is 22 per cent. Further the world trade in flavour and fragrances is estimated at $15 billion. In addition aromatic oils distilled from about 250 aromatic plants worth $ 1.2 billion are traded globally. India ranks third in volume and second in value of the world trade in aromatic oils. India exports Rs. 165 crore worth of aromatic oils and Indian fragrance industry is worth Rs. 5000 crore.