Razak reviews PPE stock positions to ensure local demand

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood on Friday reviewed the local stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure that PPEs exports could not pour effects on domestic shortages.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Committee to oversee the exports of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The Cabinet has constituted a Committee under Advisor to the Prime Minister, Abdul Razak Dawood, represented by all relevant stakeholders to look into exports of PPE said a statement issued by Ministry of Commerce here.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, the Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, and other stakeholders.

The Committee aimed to review the stock position of PPE items in Pakistan and make decisions, based on the future requirement projections, regarding continuation of exports of these items.

Talking to the Committee members, Razak Dawood informed that a number of businessmen have approached him for allowing the exports of N95 masks, which is banned by the Cabinet.

However, he added, the exports of N95 masks cannot be allowed at this moment, unless it is backed by statistical evidence that local demands are being fulfilled and the production is in surplus quantities.

The Advisor reiterated that Pakistan needs to fully exploit the opportunities arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of increase in demands for PPE worldwide, but with a strategy to have enough supplies available throughout the country.

While discussing the requirements for PPE, the Advisor underscored that the Federal and Provincial health departments should work on projections for future demands so that an accurate picture can be painted in relation to the export of these items.

Razak Dawood further stated that the Ministry of Commerce will go next to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) meeting to get all provincial stakeholders on board with regards to provision of precise information, which can help the Committee to take timely decisions as per its mandate.

During the meeting, Razak Dawood informed that the export of allowed items of PPE is providing impetus to meet the export targets of the Government.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain informed that our local industry has enhanced its capacity for PPE production and “we are receiving interests from foreign investors as well.”

The Committee showed satisfaction that no shortages of PPE have been reported ever since the export of the majority of items was allowed by the Federal Cabinet.

The Federal Cabinet lifted the ban on export of all items of PPE, hand sanitizers, disposable gowns and gloves, face shields, biohazard bags, goggles and shoe covers, made from various classes of materials, including woven and non-woven chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), Polypropylene (PP), spunbond and meltblown, with the exception of N-95 Masks and Surgical Masks and Tyvek Suits, in the meeting on June 02, 2020.