We are glad to inform you that the Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) with the support of National Medicinal Plant Board, Govt. of India is organizing the first ever Buyer – Seller Meet and Conference on Herbal and Medicinal Plants at Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi during 31st January – 1st February 2007.

As you are aware, India and China are the two largest producers of medicinal plants having more than 40 % of the global biodiversity. India has one of the world’s richest medicinal plant heritages with about 8000 species being used by rural communities. Out of this, about 880 species are in active trade with 48 being exported and around 42 species being imported. With its vast biodiversity India has tremendous potential and advantage in this emerging area and the opportunities are plentiful for different stakeholders dealing with herbal and medicinal plants all over the world.

However, there are a host of issues like sustainable harvesting practices, conservation and sustainable use, suitable quality control and standardization as per international standards, strengthening of national and international markets and trade in herbal and medicinal plants. The event is primarily planned to address these issues. Further to this the event is primarily focused for interaction between international buyers and Indian suppliers so that useful laisoning could be built up.

We expect a huge participation from producers, scientific community, extension specialists, exporters, importers, traders, pharmaceutical industry representatives, NGOs, Government agencies, International development agencies and so on in this meet and conference.