Apparel industry now produces three lakh PPE items per day, exports remain prohibited

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 21, 2020

India’s apparel industry has turned to manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) and now produces around three lakh PPE products a day, with the exportation of these products remaining prohibited.

 
The Union Government has said in public statements that it plans to procure around two crore PPE kits from domestic apparel manufacturers. The government has also prohibited exports of PPE, in order to ensure that the domestic demand can first be met. 
 
The country had close to no coronavirus-appropriate PPE as of March 1 but, according to a recent Tweet by the Textiles Minster, now produces around three lakh PPE items each day. This shows the apparel industry’s ability to scale up production quickly to meet demand, according to The Hindu BusinessLine, which argues that this shows the industry is capable to further scaling up production to allow for exports as well.

The Indian government may have banned PPE exports but its main competitors in the global apparel industry - including Vietnam, China, and Bangladesh - are taking advantage of the export opportunity. In this way, India is missing out on a large export opportunity during uncertain economic times, The Hindu BusinessLine wrote. 
 
Many independent apparel brands have started manufacturing PPE in their workshops and factories during lockdown, but many have complained that regulations are holding them back from producing greater quantities.

As clothing exports become more uncertain in a global economy facing a drop in demand for non-essential goods, PPE could be a way to offset any drop in other apparel export orders, should exports be permitted.