The Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) is an area of core competence for India in the field of medical science. The global market for indigenous system of medicine is growing rapidly. An important feature of the global market is that the products as well as services of ISM are gaining popularity, especially among the high income groups around the world with major markets being the developed countries.

An obvious manifestation of this is an upsurge in development of 'natural' products meant for prevention of diseases, maintenance of the body system and preservation of equilibrium between the elements that are the fundamental constituents of the human body. These are new products developed by an extensive application of the indigenous system of knowledge about the nature and its products. Along side such new products (mostly in the nature of food supplements and health care), there is also growing demand for health care services. In other words, the world is not only realising the relevance of the products of the indigenous medicinal system, but also the services that were associated with such a system.

Growing interest in the ISM is not because people are losing faith in the Modern System of Medicine (MSM), but because of intrinsic qualities of it, especially its usefulness in prevention of diseases, maintenance of the health and ensuring better lifestyle.

Appropriate focus on the ISM and the necessary measures to promote this system, coupled with rapid developments in the field of MSM will result in complete development of health care system and complete medical system. It can be said without fault that adequately developed system of ISM and MSM is a complete health insurance system, as together they take care of preventive as well as curative concerns. From the commercial point of view, good news is that a vast market for ISM products and services is emerging . And more importantly, these are high value products and services and, by and large, demand is income-elastic in nature.

The emerging market in the Indian System of Medicine is in the form of life-style products and services. Needless to say, this is resulting in a spurt in demand for ISM technologies. The market is growing and can be huge.

The idea of a study on the export potential of ISM technologies from India is most timely and appropriate in this context. This report is to explore the potential for export of ISM technologies from India. Export is about development and promotion. While there is vast scope for export, there is a need for focus, re-structuring and re- positioning of ISM as Indian health care system.