Ayurveda exports up 94%

"The practice of ayurveda uses mostly local plants and species, rarely using any imports and therefore does not affect our import bill or trade gap significantly. Our 2012 ayurveda exports rose by 94% in comparison to 2010," said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at the inauguration of the International Ayurveda Exhibition 2013 in Colombo.

The event was inaugurated by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Indigenous Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake, Indigenous Medicine, Deputy Minister Pandu Bandaranayake and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The international exhibition and symposium was held to popularise and create demand for ayurveda and indigenous medical products and services in Sri Lanka and abroad. It was organised by National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, with the support of the Industry and Commerce Ministry, the Gem and Jewellery Authority, the Export Development Board, Conventions Bureau and Tourism Promotion Bureau.

"Export of ayurvedic products show a positive trend. Our total 'medicament exports' in all categories in 2012, stood at $ 3.5 million, an increase of 3.8% over 2011.

We exported 'ayurvedic products' worth $ 260,000 in 2012. This is a 95% increase compared to 2010," Minister Bathiudeen said.

"The leading buyers of our herbal exports in 2012 were Australia, the Maldives, Japan, India and Albania. Surging tourism in Sri Lanka is a growth driver of the ayurvedic industry.

Along with this, rising global demand for herbal alternatives, the beauty care industry, health food and beverages, ayurvedic clinics and medicinal herbs, are other related industries that showed growth potential," he said.

Chairman, Ayurveda Expo Steering Committee, Thilak Godamanne commended the Department of Commerce and its Director General P D Fernando for inviting international delegates and resource persons for this event.

"As a result, today we have Ayurveda delegations not only from India, China and Thailand, but also from France, Germany and South Africa," he said.

"We have been taking part in this expo since 2007. We have been getting an excellent response from Lankan buyers and doctors," said Director of Sandu Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai, Shashank Sandu.

"At present, we only import and distribute our products in Sri Lanka but are ready to explore joint ventures with suitable local partners on ayurvedic formulations and in ayurvedic medicinal plantation projects," he said.