Commerce Ministry Showcases Global Export Opportunities for Uttarakhand’s AYUSH Sector Through FTA Outreach Programme

Dehradun, June 9: In a bid to strengthen export opportunities for the AYUSH and herbal sector, the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush and the Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL), organised a Regional Outreach Programme and Press Interaction on “Leveraging FTAs for AYUSH & Herbal and Opportunities for Uttarakhand” at the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP), Selaqui, Dehradun on Tuesday.

The programme was held as part of the Government of India’s outreach initiatives showcasing the progress made in trade, exports and sectoral development over the last twelve years. It aimed to create awareness among exporters, manufacturers, MSMEs, startups, industry representatives, State Licensing Authorities and other stakeholders about opportunities emerging from India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), export promotion initiatives and the growing global demand for AYUSH products and services.

Addressing the gathering, Devashish Panda, Joint Adviser, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the rapid growth of the AYUSH sector in recent years, driven by policy reforms, strengthened regulatory frameworks, quality assurance measures and increasing international recognition of India’s traditional systems of medicine.

He noted that rising global interest in preventive healthcare, wellness and traditional medicine has opened new avenues for Indian AYUSH products and services in international markets, creating significant export potential for businesses operating in the sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit Verma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, outlined the Government’s sustained efforts over the past decade to strengthen India’s export ecosystem through trade facilitation, digital transformation, export promotion measures and expanded market access through Free Trade Agreements.

He stated that India’s exports have reached record levels due to reforms focused on improving ease of doing business, reducing compliance burdens and enhancing competitiveness across sectors. Verma also emphasized that the AYUSH sector has emerged as a priority area under the Government’s export promotion strategy due to its growing contribution to trade, wellness and employment generation.

The programme highlighted the role of AYUSHEXCIL in supporting exports of AYUSH and herbal products through market intelligence, capacity-building initiatives, buyer-seller interactions, international outreach programmes and assistance with regulatory compliance. Participants were informed about the increasing global demand for AYUSH products and the expanding opportunities available in overseas markets.

Discussions during the programme focused on opportunities arising from India's trade agreements and ongoing engagements with partner countries. Stakeholders were briefed on the benefits of enhanced market access, regulatory cooperation, quality certification frameworks and export facilitation measures for AYUSH products, medicinal plants, herbal extracts, nutraceuticals and wellness services.

Officials also highlighted various Government initiatives aimed at strengthening the quality, credibility and international acceptance of AYUSH products. These include promotion of globally aligned quality standards, certification systems, digital regulatory mechanisms and capacity-building programmes for industry stakeholders.

With Uttarakhand being rich in medicinal and aromatic plant resources and already having a strong presence in the AYUSH and wellness ecosystem, the outreach programme served as an important platform for local stakeholders to understand emerging export opportunities and interact directly with experts on export procedures, compliance requirements and market access challenges.

An interactive session allowed participants to raise queries and share suggestions related to export regulations, quality standards and opportunities available under India's evolving trade framework. The programme concluded with a press interaction and stakeholder engagement session.

The outreach programme reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening the AYUSH sector through trade facilitation, export promotion, international cooperation and deeper integration of India’s traditional healthcare systems with global markets.