Quality protocol on the cards for PPE export

Various companies from Europe, UK, USA and Middle East have shown interest to import PPEs and face masks from Bangladesh amid the crucial global fight against deadly coronavirus. But, ensuring quality of these protective components according to international standards is the main barrier in grabbing this lucrative high-end market.

A quality protocol therefore is in the process of development by related industry stakeholders in the country to ensure a smoother export of PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) and other protective components.

Obaidul Azam, additional secretary, to the Commerce Ministry told The Business Post on Wednesday, “A task force formed by the government to offset the impact of deadly coronavirus effect is in talks with BGMEA so that it can provide financial and technical support in the development of such a quality protocol.”

“Government agencies and reputed brands from UK, Switzerland, UAE and some other middle eastern countries recently communicated with our commercial councillors and diplomatic missions to outsourcing protective gear from Bangladesh,” Obaidul Azam further said.

A total of 27 local readymade garment manufacturing companies last week informed the commerce ministry that they are producing protective gears and are interested in exporting them.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturing and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is working to develop an international standard quality protocol for protective gear so that buyers accept it.

The global protective clothing market was valued at US$8.0 billion in 2018 which is now estimated to be at $40 billion by 2022.

Protective equipment usually consists of gloves, goggles, mask and gowns. Protective clothes are designed to prevent a person from coming in contact with adverse elements of the environment thus providing protection and reducing the risk of exposure fire, heat, chemical, mechanical and virus.