Objectives

The long term objectives of the network are to mobilize the collective efforts of the interesting institutions or countries in the region towards promotion of production, utilization, and economic return, enhancement of the product quality, conservation of the eco-system and natural resources and development of the medicinal and herbal plants. These could be achieved through the following:

a) Create awareness at various policymaking and technical levels within member countries on the importance of the development of the medicinal plant sector through an integrated approach, i.e. production, protection, post-harvest technologies, processing and marketing.
b) Promote cooperation in the collection, conservation, propagation, evaluation and utilization of medicinal plants germplasm.

c) Facilitate exchange of information through the development of an information system for the collection and dissemination of information on medicinal plants, e.g. cultivation and horticultural practices, production, post-harvest and processing technologies, marketing and trade, environmental protection and natural resources development and socio-economic impacts.

d) Allow joint programs to be developed for the exchange of experiences and expertise and organization of training courses, workshops and conferences for the effective use and sharing of transferable technical information and skills.

e) Collate and/or develop common technical standards and specifications, methodologies and approaches for laboratory procedures as part of an overall quality control system for the marketing of medicinal and herbal products, in local and international markets.

f) Enhance cooperation for the analysis and solution of common problems through joint research /development projects.

g) Contribute to the formulation of national networks in each country to strengthen collaboration among national institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector and universities.