The Indian High commissioner in Fiji says work has begun on the possibilities of exporting kava to India.
Professor Ishwar Singh Chauhan says India is interested in making a long term commitment to the region and to this end, a team of experts will arrive next month to assess the aid needs of Pacific Island countries.
He says the focus will be on providing training opportunities and developing information technology.
Mr Chauhan says the possibility of exporting kava to India is being explored.
"We have been in touch with some very large pharmaceutical manufacturers in India, so we are already in touch with those manufacturers of pharmaceuticals who specialise in herbal drugs or herbal preparations and we are trying to explore the possibility of exporting kava to them"
Mr Chauhan says the aid team is confirmed to visit Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga and Tuvalu, and others may be added to the list.
