Section 9

The Competent Authorities shall establish an advisory body to deal with matters relating to indigenous community and local community and traditional knowledge associated with the biological resource comprising representatives of indigenous community and local community whose advice shall be sought and taken into account.

The Competent Authorities may, if it thinks necessary, establish such committee to facilitate the carrying out of its functions under this Act.

Any member of advisory body appointed under subsection (2), other person invited to any meeting of the advisory body and member of committee established under subsection (3)

may be paid such allowances and other expenses as the Competent

Authorities may determine.

Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing 17

The Competent Authorities shall consult and seek the advice of the National Competent Authority in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act.

Functions and powers of the Competent Authorities