The first 'SCO B2B Conference and Expo on Traditional Medicine' came to a successful end as it created a platform for buyers and sellers from different countries to explore trade potential to serve the needs of the people. An incremental trade interest of over ₹590 crores was generated during the two days of intense meetings among the buyers and sellers at the conference. This first-of-its-kind conference & Expo under the SCO initiative was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 2nd March, 2023 at Guwahati, Assam. More than 150 delegates from 17 countries attended the two-day conference and four-day Expo, which ended here today.
Speaking on occasion, the Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is a moment of great realisation that this wonderful initiative has borne fruit with trade interest of more than ₹590 crores generated during the event. While this marks the immediate success of the Expo, the conference also laid the foundation for further interaction & expansion of cooperation among the states under the SCO initiative. I must thank PM Narendra Modi ji at this point as his vision brought this concept of expanding the horizon of traditional medicine among the member states of SCO, leading to the event's successful hosting. While the scope of trade in the Ayush market remains buoyant, the event helped expand its horizon to a wider international audience with a noble aim to provide an enriched quality of life with the help of traditional medicine. This is a huge shot in the arm for the Indian Ayush market as this event provided the platform to further the trade potential among the SCO member states for improving the quality of lives of people.”
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush, Invest India conducted B2B meetings in a dedicated B2B lounge at the event with the support of Ayushexcil (Ayush Export Promotion Council). More than 56 exhibitors – who participated in the Expo – and buyers from 19 countries discussed and expressed their interest in trade in traditional medicine. More than 50 one-to-one meetings between buyers and sellers were conducted on day 1 of the conference. Among the spectrum of traditional medicinal products, the maximum interest was seen in product categories like Ayurvedic medicines, herbal nutraceuticals, Ayurvedic cosmetics etc. Over 75 meetings took place on Day 2 of the event, where participants from India, Tajikistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Bahrain & Sri Lanka engaged. The trade interest of ₹590 crores was received in the B2B meetings from companies like Damaira Pharma, AIMIL Global, Herbal Strategi Homecare, Almaty, Dindayal Industries, Fidalgo Healthcare and many more. The trade interest was received across product categories like Ayurvedic gels & oils, capsules, Ayurvedic hair remedy products, nutraceuticals, Ayurvedic home care and Hygiene & Veterinary products. The industry received as many as 9 Letters of Intent (LOIs).
The inaugural session of the SCO conference was inaugurated on 2nd March in Guwahati which was also attended by the Union Minister of State for Ayush and Women & Child Development, Dr Mahendrabhai Munjpara; Minister of Health, Govt of Myanmar, Dr Thet Khaing Win; Deputy Minister of Health, Govt of Maldives, Safiyya Mohamed Saeed and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha among others.