'Nepal can boost economy by promoting herbs, yoga and meditation'

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal on Sunday welcomed the Government of Nepal’s decision to declare the next 10 years the 'Wellness Decade'. He said the initiative can help establish the country as an international destination for wellness, health and medical tourism.

At the Ayush International Conclave 2026 in Kathmandu, where he spoke as the chief guest, Agrawal highlighted Nepal’s natural and cultural assets — the Himalayas, medicinal herbs, yoga, meditation and traditional healing systems — as key resources with strong potential in health and wellness tourism. He said the NCC fully supports the Wellness Decade campaign and expects it to attract investment, innovation, research and international cooperation in the health sector.

He noted a global shift in healthcare from a primarily curative model towards health promotion, disease prevention, lifestyle management and holistic wellness. He said the Covid19 pandemic underscored the need to strengthen health systems, mental health services, healthy lifestyles and community-level preparedness.

He urged closer collaboration between traditional medical systems and modern science, and pointed to technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital health, telemedicine, biotechnology and data analytics as opening new avenues for innovation and efficiency in healthcare.

“If Nepal can scientifically promote its herbs, natural healing methods, yoga and meditation in the global market through research and innovation, it can significantly contribute to economic growth, job creation and sustainable development,” Agrawal said, according to the NCC statement.

He also emphasised historic and cultural ties between Nepal and India, calling for expanded cooperation in joint research, academic exchanges, the pharmaceutical and herbal products industries, and health tourism. He said an inclusive, innovative and sustainable health system will require cooperation among the government, the private sector, academic institutions, healthcare professionals, researchers and development partners.

The fourth Ayush Conclave was held in Kathmandu on June 14 in collaboration with the NCC. The event was organised to promote the Ayush system internationally and to acquaint physicians with future-oriented technologies. More than 200 delegates, including Ayurveda experts, physicians, researchers and technologists from Nepal, India, Bangladesh and the UAE, attended. The conclave, previously held in Agra, Goa and Jaipur in India, was organised in Nepal for the first time. High-ranking officials from the Indian Embassy in Nepal were among those present.