India has surplus capacity, may allow export of masks in a week: Sources

Exports of personal protective equipment (coveralls) may be considered next as far as export curbs go

India may allow export of certain category of face masks soon as the country has a surplus capacity, claimed government sources.

The final decision is expected within a next few days as mask manufacturers have requested the government to allow them to export their surplus capacities.

“A webinar is planned with the ministry of textiles on Tuesday. We will be discussing about the surplus production and the idle capacity available with manufacturers here. A decision on allowing exports is likely to be taken soon,” said a senior government official. He further added that the government is taking a cautious approach before allowing exports as it wants to gauge if there is any sudden demand spike in the domestic market. “With the lockdown easing and flights resuming, there can be a spike in demand for face masks in India too. We want to monitor the situation a bit and then take a call,” he added.

Exports of personal protective equipment (coveralls) may be considered next as soon as export restriction relaxations go.

The industry, too, had presented its case through lobby groups. The umbrella association of medical device makers in the country, the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD), had written a letter to pharma secretary P D Vaghela, who is also the chairman of the empowered committee of essential medical equipment. They requested him to intervene for opening up exports of surgical three-layer masks and N95 respirator masks as the country now has a surplus capacity.

“These manufacturers are stopping or slowing down production since the last 15-20 days as they have unsold inventory amid falling demand. Prices are falling as clients in public and private health care are preferring to buy lower cost 2 and 3 layer masks or non-standard quality without nose clip,” Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of AiMeD, had said in the letter.

India had banned the export of all kinds of masks in March. In mid May, however, the director general of foreign trade allowed the exports of non-medical category masks like those made of cotton, silk, wool and knitted materials.

“There is some confusion among manufacturers as to who can export and who cannot. However, export of surgical masks is still banned,” said an industry source, who claimed many manufacturers are sitting on inventories of tens of thousands of masks.

Sudhir Reddy, promotor of Lesure Industries, said he has created capacity to make about 100,000 masks per day and was now waiting for exports to re-open.

Meanwhile, the industry said the government needs to stress on proper certifications for masks and other protective gear as export of sub-standard quality products can earn a bad name.