No restrictions on export of medical grade garments.

Ludhiana: Here is some good news for medical grade garment manufacturers. The Centre has excluded surgical drapes, isolation aprons, surgical wraps and x-ray gowns from the list of items restricted from exports. 

A notification has been issued by the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), stating that from July 21 these four items have been removed from the restricted list. However, medical and surgical masks, medical goggles, medical nitrile gloves and face shields will remain in the prohibited exports category. 

The manufacturers of exempted items are a happy lot, but the PPE suit makers are now demanding that the government also permit them to export their products without restrictions. PPE suit exports are subject to quota system.

Welcoming the development, Adish Gupta, a manufacturer of surgical aprons from Sunder Nagar, said, “This is a ray of hope for manufacturers like us, as export of all these items was banned some time ago due to fear of shortage in India in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak. Allowing export will boost our business, as local demand for these products was affected by the entry of new players. At present, there is a huge demand for aprons, drapes and gowns in global markets and Indian products have low rates and good quality.”

Namit Kapoor, a gown manufacturer, said he was thankful to the government as opening the export would not only benefit the manufacturers but also give the country foreign exchange. “Moreover, due to the pandemic, the local demand had become high initially, but then took a hit as markets were flooded with the products. So, export is the only option to survive,” he added.

Demanding lifting of restrictions from export of PPE suits, Vinod Thapar, chairman of Knitwear Club, said, “We are not against the government allowing the unrestricted export of surgical drapes, isolation aprons, surgical wraps and x-ray gowns. But the government must treat PPE suit manufacturers on a par and lift restrictions and lengthy procedures for filing application for export quota.”