Saxena expects spike in production
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) will now explore the possibility of exporting cotton and silk face masks after the Commerce and Industries Ministry lifted ban on export of non-medical/non-surgical masks of all types.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) lifted the ban on 16 May.
The KVIC plans to supply khadi face masks in countries like Dubai, USA, Mauritius and several European and Middle East countries where Khadi’s popularity has significantly grown over the last few years, said Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises on 21 May 2020.
Keeping in view the huge face mask demand during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the KVIC has developed double layered and triple-layered Cotton as well as Silk face masks in two colors for men and in multiple colors for women.
The KVIC has so far received orders to supply 8 lakh masks and has already supplied more than 6 lakh masks during Lockdown period in India.
KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena said the export of Khadi masks is an appropriate example of “Local to Global”.
Saxena expects Khadi masks export to spike in production and ultimately create large scale employment opportunity for artisans in India.
Face Masks are the most critical tool to fight the Coronavirus Pandemic. These masks prepared from Double Twisted khadi fabric not only meet the quality and scale of demand but are cost effective, breathable, washable, reusable and bio-degradable, explained Saxena.
KVIC is specifically using Double Twisted Khadi fabric for manufacturing of these masks as it helps retains moisture content inside, while providing an easy passage for the air to pass through.
What makes these masks more special is the hand-spun and hand-woven cotton and Silk fabrics. Cotton acts as a mechanical barrier while Silk is an Electrostatic barrier, he said. fiinews.com
