The Centre has proposed to set up export processing zones for traditional Indian medicines in partnership with private entrepreneurs to boost overseas sales of ethnic herbs, which stood at Rs 900 crore in 2006-07.

India's export of herbal plant-based medicines stood at Rs 900 crore in 2006-07. Primary products such as plants, herbs and semi-processed produce constituted 60 per cent of the total exports, while value-added products were a minimal 40 per cent. The Centre has proposed to set up export processing zones for traditional Indian medicines in partnership with private entrepreneurs to boost overseas sales of ethnic herbs

At the inauguration of 'Arogya', an international fair on alternative systems of Indian medicines, Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Commerce said  a detailed report is being prepared for the zone in Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand . And the project is expected to be operational by next year.