Approval given for exports of PPE

The government has granted a request made by the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) to allow the export of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said in a notice on Wednesday.

Face masks, medical equipment and medical clothing designed to prevent communicable diseases will be produced by garment factories to be sold domestically and internationally as the pandemic spurs global demand for PPE.

The decision could help offset some of the losses the garment industry has incurred as global demand for their mainstay products has plummeted.

Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation data shows that there are currently seven factories and seven handicraft workshops producing PPE.

The factories and handicraft workshops have an expected monthly production capacity of about 138 million masks, 20.7 million gowns and 9.6 million hoods.

GMAC secretary-general Kaing Monika told The Post on Wednesday that the government’s decision will help the garment industry retain workers as garment orders have dried up during the pandemic.

At the same time, it will increase Cambodia’s exports, he said.

“Not many factories have expanded their product portfolio from existing garment products so far, and this depends on external orders,” said Monika.

He said factories have to take many steps before being authorised to produce PPE. They must first apply for approval from the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and then apply to the ministries of Commerce; Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

But General Department of Customs and Excise director-general Kun Nhem has authorised the export of all types of masks without permission from the health ministry, he said in a letter dated May 4.

“Currently, the government can control and secure sufficient stocks of masks to serve the purpose of preventing the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the country,” he said.

Last month, Prime Minister Hun Sen said the government needed at least 10 million masks and at least 5,000 pieces of medical clothing to effectively combat the virus.

Credited: The Phnom Penh Post