The 9th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC) was kicked off on Thursday at Panaji, Goa, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism and Shipping, Ports and Waterways Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha. The international event aims to showcase the efficacy and strength of the AYUSH systems of medicine at the global level.

“The AYUSH has grown tremendously in the last eight years,” Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said. In the country's Covid-19 Pandemic management, the contributions of AYUSH have been immense. The Ministry of AYUSH executed an impact assessment study and found that 89.9% of the Indian population has relied on AYUSH in some capacity for Covid-19 prevention and treatment, he said.

Dr. Pramod Sawant thanked the Union Government for giving the opportunity to host this edition of the World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo in Goa. Dr. Sawant said the introduction of AYUSH visa for AYUSH treatment is a historic decision. The upcoming satellite center of All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa will boost Ayurvedic tourism in the state, he added. He said the Goan students will get 50% reservation in admissions for various courses at the institute.

The third edition of the ‘Ayushman' comic book series was also released on this occasion. An MoU was signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Rosenberg’s European Academy of Ayurveda, Germany, to facilitate advanced studies in traditional Indian medicine systems.

The 9th World Ayurveda Congress & Arogya Expo 2022 is being organized in Goa from 8 to 11 December with the objective of providing a global platform for all the stakeholders, including industry leaders, practitioners, traditional healers, educationists, students, medicine manufacturers, growers of medicinal plants and marketing strategists, for networking and engaging in intellectual exchange to strengthen the Ayurveda sector, envision its future, and facilitate interaction between professionals and consumers to boost Ayurveda commerce.

The market size of the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) sector in the country has grown from USD 3 billion in 2014 to over USD 18 billion now, clocking a phenomenal growth of six times. During 2014-2020, the AYUSH industry grew 17 percent year-on-year while the Ayurveda market is predicted to grow at 15 percent CAGR from 2021 to 2026.

Over 4500 participants from all over the world, including 400 foreign delegates from 53 countries, are participating in the event. The Arogya Expo is set to witness the participation of more than 215 companies, leading Ayurveda brands, medicine manufacturers, and Ayurveda-related educational and Research & Development institutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the valedictory function of WAC on December 11.

Ayurveda & Health Tourism Magazine is the media partner of the four-day event.