Kerala eyes five-fold growth in ayurveda

The two-day International Business Meet (IBM) on ayurveda being held here next week is expected to bring a five-fold increase in the state's share, a government official said here Saturday.

"At present, the Indian ayurveda industry is worth Rs.10,000 crore of which Kerala's contribution is about Rs.1,000 crore. We are aiming for a five-fold rise in the state's share by 2020," said Aruna Sundarajan, managing director of the state-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation.

The event beginning here Friday will be the meeting point of key stake-holders from the industry to evolve a road map for harnessing the global opportunities in the ayurveda business.

About 4,000 delegates from 22 countries, including ministers, top officials and CEOs will attend.

The meet is being organised as part of the Global Ayurveda Festival 2014.

"We see IBM as a platform to showcase this strength of ayurveda before the business and entrepreneurial community and take ayurveda to the global level," said Sundararajan.

The technical sessions at the IBM will cover export promotion, products, services, wellness, research, education, quality standards, financial and other support systems and medicinal plants cultivation.

Representatives from Singapore, Italy, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, the Philippines and Sri Lanka will make presentations on the opportunities in their respective countries.