The World Ayurveda Congress 2002 (WAC 2002), beginning here on November 1, would deliberate on the possibility of forming an 'International Academy of Ayurveda' on the lines of similar academies governing other medicinal branches.

The WAC, which will be inaugurated by Shatrughan Sinha, Union Health Minister, will help re-enforce India's role in the global market of traditional medicine, WAC's working chairman Prof K I Vasu said in press conference here on Monday.

The global herbal market is valued at Rs 53,000 crore with 6.5 per cent growth rate annually. Out of this, China alone shares Rs 15,000 crore. India has only a meager share of Rs 350 crore out of which Kerala alone contributes Rs 200 crore, he pointed out.

Maintaining that the four-day WAC would be a ''turning point in the history of Ayurveda and Kerala," he said the congress would enable the participating delegates to meet renowned scientists from all over the world and share their thoughts and experience.

About 2500 delegates including 100 from Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, Mauritius and Fiji and 50 invitees from Canada, US, UK, Germany, Japan and China are expected to participate in the four-day conclave. ''There is a growing interest in ayurveda worldwide. The world of tomorrow will be the world of ayurveda in health care system'', he said.

''Ayurveda has a potential to reach out to other continents, other people and cultures. It should be seen as a common heritage of the entire humanity. The congress will also discuss the challenges of globalisation which a traditional science like Ayurveda will face in the world,'' Prof Vasu said.

The congress would also help educate people on the economic, commercial and business prospects of Ayurveda and the possibility of integration of Indian medical systems. The concept of standardisation and good manufacturing practices would also be discussed during the congress.

The Central Ministers who will visit the congress include Dr Murali Manohar Joshi, Union Minister of HRD and Science and Technology, Nitish Kumar, Union Minister for Railways, and O Rajagopal, Union Minister of State for Urban Development. Sri Sri Ravishankar would also participate in a function on November 2.