PRGMEA for lifting ban on N-95, surgical masks' exports,.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chief Coordinator Ijaz A. Khokhar has asked the government to lift ban on export of N-95 as well as the surgical masks, as the foreign buyers are now additionally demanding these two masks along with personal protective equipments (PPEs).

The garment exporters are jumping in this export and have already applied for the CE and FDA certifications for the export of health-related items to the EU countries and the USA respectively, showing their long-term planning in this PPE exports.

Ijaz A. Khokhar said that it is also a great opportunity for cash-strapped SMEs, which represents more than 90% of around 3.2 million business enterprises in Pakistan, contributing 40% to the GDP, employing over 80% of non-agricultural workforce, and generating 25% of export earnings. While the garment sectors' SMEs need not any huge investment to produce the masks, besides additional benefit of employing a huge number of female staff, he added.

PRGMEA chief coordinator appreciated the government for lifting ban on export of PPEs, as the garment industry has...