Demand for traditional Chinese medicine products in Europe is showing robust growth according to a mission from Hong Kong which explored the prospects for herbal products and dietary supplements in Germany and the Netherlands, two leading markets for alternative medicine.

Europeans have a higher than expected knowledge of Chinese medicine, reported the regional manager of the Hong Kong healthcare company Unico and Company, Sze-To Chi Wah, following the mission.

"There are already many Chinese clinics practising acupuncture and other traditional treatments in Europe. Demand for Chinese medicine is definitely growing as it becomes accepted as a form of alternative medicine," he said.

Europe is the world's largest market for herbal medicine products, with retail sales for herbal remedies in Europe amounting to US$6.9 billion last year. The number one herbal remedy worldwide, ginkgo biloba, is of Chinese origin and widely used for treating circulatory disorders and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Chinese Ginseng is popular for promoting energy and vitality.

To help develop the industry the Government has introduced a 10-year research and training programme. Meanwhile the Govevernment's Innovation and Technology Fund has so far supported 22 Chinese medicine-related projects, and the Growth Enterprise Market - set up to help promising enterprises raise capital - provides additional sources of funding for Chinese medicine-related technology ventures.