(KPL) To celebrate the 6th Ayurveda Day and to promote businesses between India and the Lao PDR in Ayurveda (traditional medicine), pharmaceutical and related sector, a virtual event 'India-Lao PDR Cooperation in AYUSH and Pharma Industry’ was organised early this month by the Pharmaceuticals Exports Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) in cooperation with the Embassy of India in Vientiane and the Embassy of the Lao PDR in New Delhi, India.

After Covid-19 pandemic crisis in March 2020, this was the 2nd virtual event to promote pharmaceutical sector between India and the Lao PDR, last year 1st meeting was conducted on Sep 30, 2020.  Discussion during the webinar was focussed on role and use of Ayurveda or traditional medicine.

After the special remarks and presentations, an online Business-to-Business meeting was also held; 40 Indian and 12 Lao companies dealing in healthcare and pharmaceutical sector participated in the event.

In his welcome address, Director General of PHARMEXCIL Ravi Uday Bhaskar highlighted the importance of such interactions to promote business and trade between the two countries.

Ambassador of India Dinkar Asthana, in his special remarks underlined the role and importance of Ayurveda and how these events are helpful in creating a sense of awareness in today’s generation.

He further stressed that Ayurvedic treatment mainly uses traditional herbs and plant roots, is cost effective and can be used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care system.

The Ambassador mentioned that India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on the occasion of the 75th year of India’s Independence and also extended greetings on the occasion of Diwali – an Indian festival of light.

Lao Ambassador to India Bounneme Chouanghom conveyed in his special address that the Lao PDR and India have enjoyed long time friendly relations and acknowledged India’s assistance extended to the Government of Laos through providing medical supplies for Covid-19 response during the beginning of pandemic situation in Laos last year.

He further stressed that even though the pandemic is still around, it could not stop the Lao PDR-India bilateral cooperation on trade and investment as highlighted by hosting of this event on traditional medicine, pharma and allied sectors.   He also highlighted that the two countries are celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Lao PDR-India Diplomatic relations by joining organizing several events.  At the end of his remarks, he conveyed continued support of his Embassy for promoting trade and investment between the Lao PDR and India.

Dr Bounleuane Douangdeuane, Director General of Institute of Traditional Medicine, Ministry of Health in his remarks discussed about importance of the institute in promoting healthcare system.

He highlighted that the Institute of Traditional Medicine has four main missions:  to promote research on medicinal plants and traditional medicine; preservation of traditional medicine knowledge; education; and service i.e. collection, plantation, production and treatment.  He also emphasised that there is a political support for the integration of traditional medicines with modern medicine as part of National Health System of Laos.

He further stressed that the current development of modern technology and knowledge sharing will strengthen bilateral cooperation between the Lao PDR and India in the field of traditional medicine or Ayurveda.

Dr Sachin Kumar, Assistant Advisor, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India shared a presentation on the role and function of the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy).  He shared that there are approximately 800,000 practitioners of Ayurveda in India and many initiatives such as Ayush fellowship, Ayurveda courses under “Study in Indian programme” for foreign students have been taken by Ministry of Ayush to promote international cooperation in the field of Ayurveda or traditional medicines.

Mr Arvind Varchaswi, CEO of Sri Sri Tattva highlighted the role of nutrition which is the theme of this year Ayurveda day celebrations.  At the end, Mr Vishwas Gupta from DKSH Laos Co. Ltd shared a presentation on healthcare market overview of Laos and invited Indian companies to explore opportunities in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.

Mr Murali Krishna, Director of Pharmexcil summed up the discussions by thanking the dignitaries.  He also moderated the B2B meeting and invited around 40 Indian companies interested in exploring Lao healthcare and pharma market to introduce themselves.

From the Lao side, companies such as Viengthong Pharma, DKSH, Xupthavykoun Co. Ltd, VE Product Lao, Lao Inter Pharma, KongChai-Lao Pharma, Soksay Pharma, Vimpex Lao, NNC Pharma, Keosila Pharma, Elate International, Luckxay Clinic attended the B2B meeting.  Overall, the discussions and B2B Meeting was well attended by companies of the Lao PDR and India.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL NEWS AGENCY

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