ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has been receiving many exporters' enquiries from all over Pakistan regarding the export of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The Ministry on Tuesday clarified that export of all PPEs, i.e. hand sanitizers, disposable gowns and gloves, face shields, biohazard bags, goggles and shoe covers are allowed to be exported. These exportable items may be made from various classes of materials, including woven and non-woven chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polypropylene (PP), spunbond and meltblown.

On March 24, the Ministry placed a ban on export of above items as well as a ban on N-95 masks, surgical masks and tyvek suits. The ban on these items, except on N-95 masks, surgical masks and tyvek suits, was subsequently lifted by the Federal Cabinet in the meeting on June 02. In pursuance of the Cabinet's decision, Ministry of Commerce issued an order on June 09, allowing the export of all items of PPE, except N-95 masks, surgical Masks and tyvek suits.

The ministry has expressed the hope that the clarification would satisfy all the inquiries about export of PPE, remove the confusion and enable all the relevant exporters to export the allowed items of PPEs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020