Government revokes export restrictions on N95 and FFP2 masks

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Oct 08 2020 05:34 PM
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Government revokes export restrictions on N95 and FFP2 masks

The Indian Government on October 6 revised its policy of imposing curbs on the export of personal protective equipment such as N95 and FFP2 masks. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) gave this information and is confirmed by the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

"The export policy of N-95 masks or FFP-2 masks or its equivalent is amended from restricted to free category making all types of masks freely exportable," the notification from the DGFT states. Goyal shared this news on Twitter posting: “India is Making for the World: N95 & FFP2 Masks can now be exported freely to countries across the world. Make in India is spurring economic growth and employment while helping the world battle COVID-19".

India is Making for the World: N95 & FFP2 Masks can now be exported freely to countries across the world.

Make in India is spurring economic growth and employment while helping the world battle COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/I48B9mxGS9
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) October 6, 2020

The apparel exporters body Apparel Training and Designing Centre (AEPC) said that the government's decision to remove export curbs on N-95 masks will open up global markets for Indians engaged in the sector."This move will increase India's exports by Rs 1,000 crore annually. The country will now be able to bag export orders worth crore of rupees in this huge business opportunity. Annual export of all the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits including N-95 masks could be around Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore”, chairman of the AEPC Sakthivel said in a statement.

Due to the ongoing corona pandemic both N95 and FFP2 masks are in demand. The Centre had earlier banned the export of the products to ensure sufficient domestic supply. As per the previous notification order, the government license to ship the masks to foreign markets or buyers was mandatory. In August the Centre fixed an export eligibility cap of 50 lakh units.