The Vietnamese government has allowed the export of medical masks, protective clothing and medical equipment, provided that domestic demand for those items is met (including for reserves), VnExpress quoted Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc as saying at a meeting on April 15.

The move is taken to support domestic producers in overcoming the unprecedented crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic and these items are only allowed to be shipped to countries affected by Covid-19.

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Under the Vietnamese government’s resolution dated February 28, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, medical face masks could be shipped out of the country only for the purpose of international aid provided by the Vietnamese government. In addition, the business is allowed to export a maximum of 25% of its output. The regulation aimed to give priority to the fight against the pandemic in the country and ensure sufficient medical equipment for doctors.

According to the health ministry’s data, Vietnam currently has 68 producers of medical masks and protective suits. A number of textile enterprises have also started importing production lines of these items, such as Garment 10 Corporation Joint Stock Company, TNG Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company, among others.

An executive of Garment 10 Corporation Joint Stock Company said that it received a foreign order for 400 million medical face masks with delivery set for July.

TNG Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company also plans to start producing medical masks from mid-May. The enterprise has ensured sources of materials to produce the above-mentioned items after its output basically meets the domestic demand.

Besides, Vietnam has successfully produced waterproof cloth masks which are appreciated by many countries.

Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc told Vietnam News Agency that the face mask production capacity of Vietnam is huge, much higher than domestic demand. While the face mask demand in the foreign markets is increasing rapidly, it is time for domestic producers to grasp that opportunity.

Priority must be still given to meeting the domestic demand, but it was also necessary to take the opportunity to boost exports, Loc stressed.

He also urged the government to develop a strategy for medical equipment production and export. “Any decision must be timely, especially in the pandemic period,” Loc said.