Kochi: The World Ayurveda Congress (WAC), beginning here on 1 November 2002, will deliberate on the possibility of forming the International Academy of Ayurveda on the lines of similar academies governing other medicinal branches.

WAC, which will be inaugurated by Indian Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha, will help re-enforce India's role in the global market of traditional medicine, says WAC working chairman K I Vasu.

The global herbal market is valued at Rs 53,000 crore with 6.5 per cent growth rate annually. Out of this, China alone shares Rs 15,000 crore. India has only a meagre share of Rs 350 crore, out of which Kerala alone contributes Rs 200 crore, Vasu points out.

Maintaining that the four-day WAC will be a ''turning point in the history of ayurveda and Kerala,'' he says the congress will enable the participating delegates to meet renowned scientists from all over the world and share their thoughts and experiences.

About 2500 delegates, including 100 from Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Singapore, Mauritius and Fiji and 50 invitees from Canada, the US, the UK, Germany, Japan and China, are expected to participate in the four-day conclave. ''There is a growing interest in ayurveda worldwide. The world of tomorrow will be the world of ayurveda in healthcare system,'' Vasu adds.

''Ayurveda has a potential to reach out to other continents, other people and cultures. It should be seen as a common heritage of the entire humanity. The congress will also discuss the challenges of globalisation, which a traditional science like ayurveda will face in the world,'' he says.

The congress will also help educate people on the economic, commercial and business prospects of ayurveda and the possibility of integration of Indian medical systems. The concept of standardisation and good manufacturing practices will also be discussed during the congress.

The central ministers who will visit the congress include HRD, Science and Technology Minister Murali Manohar Joshi, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and Urban Development Minister O Rajagopal. New age guru Sri Sri Ravishankar will also participate in a function on 2 November 2002.