Covid-related products clock $632-million export revenues

India exported $632 million worth PPE kits, masks and sanitizers between April and August.

The country has increased its production capacity of several Covidrelated products like sanitizers, PPE kits and masks during the lockdown and after that. Initially the government had banned the export of many of these products apprehending a possible scarcity within the country.

In March, export of masks, ventilators as well as textile raw material used for masks and coveralls and sanitizers were prohibited. By May-June, exports of many of the products were allowed.

Despite hand-sanitizer consumption going up by

60-fold, India had excess production to cater to the export markets. Indian companies started producing PPE kits only after the pandemic broke out.

Between April and August, the manufacturers were able to export Covid-related products worth $632.23 million, as per the data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Of these, organic surface-active agents (other than soap) and other washing preparations accounted for $146 million, instruments and appliances of medical science $106 million, other articles of plastics $179 million, made up articles

$72 million and antibacterial formulations accounted for $47 million.

The US was the largest buyer of different categories of products, including instruments and appliances of medical science, other ophthalmic instruments and appliances, other articles of plastics and made up articles.

Singapore was the largest buyer of breathing appliances and gas masks. Burkina Faso mainly bought parts of garments and clothing accessories. Vietnam was the largest buyer of disinfectants and UAE mostly imported soap and organic surfaceactive products and preparations. India exported these products to several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.