Keeping in view the current situation, the Pakistan formally announces to open PPE exports. Pakistan has received orders worth 100 million dollars for personal protective equipment (PPE). The Minister for Science & Technology, Fawad Chaudhry said that many countries are interested in our COVID-19 equipment. Also, pertaining to the situation, Pakistan could receive an order of $500 million and more in the coming months.
This is a very timely decision, as Pakistan can capture various markets where our neighbors like India and Bangladesh have already entered. Some companies had already applied for international certification from EU and US FDA for easy exports.
Adviser to PM on Commerce Razak Dawood said the government has done its part to lift the ban on PPE exports.
“Exporters must take note of this development and go full speed to capture the share of this market globally” – Abdul Razzak Dawood.
Covid-19 has opened up new avenues for textile industry as well to take advantage of the rising demand of PPEs. Pakistan’s textile industry would get benefit of it through exporting these products. However, there will still ban on export of Tyvek suits, surgical masks and N-95 masks.
NEW AVENUES TO OPEN FOR OTHER COVID-19 SUPPLIES
Fawad Chaudhary stated that Pakistan has developed a Coronavirus diagnostic kit which has been approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Citing this as a big achievement for the economy, he said this will help reduce import bills.
‘We are importing the kits from China at the moment but when the commercial production of our kits begins, we will not have to import. The kits developed by our experts are better than the imported kits, and have over 90% accuracy.” Fawad Chaudhary
He also advised the Pharma Industry to share their proposals with the commerce ministry to get support on exports and tariff rationalization. Historically, Pharma exports have fallen under the ambit of Ministry of Health for commercial matters, he said.
“The time has come for this to change”, he said, adding that the industry has great potential, which must be realized. Pakistan formally announces to open PPE exports but exports of health-related products are subject to NOC from DRAP.