Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea has extended export suspension of surgical mask and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for further three months. The decision is effective starting from the date of its publication in the official Gazette, “Waqaa Masria”.
The decision, however, allows the export of PPE surplus after the local market needs are met, which is determined by the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and Technology Management (AUPP), along with the Minister of Trade and Industry’s approval.
Gamea said the decision aims to provide the needs of Egyptian citizen and medical institutions, especially as state-imposed precautionary measures remain in place. They continue to be enforced to protect the health and safety of citizens and curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The minister noted that the decision came in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the AUPP.
Since the start of the pandemic in Egypt, the demand on face masks in the country has significantly increased, with medical supply factories adding new production lines to their core manufacturing activity.
Moreover, the government has encouraged textile and garment manufacturers to undertake the production of cloth masks to meet the increased demand.
In late May, Gamea announced that the Egyptian government is looking to manufacture roughly 30m cloth masks a month to meet the local market demands.
