Notwithstanding the fact that Bangladesh has lately been exporting large quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks, lack of world-class testing facility is preventing the country from exploiting the full potential arising out of the increased global demand for PPE.
This was stated by Salman F. Rahman, private industry and investment affairs adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as per media reports.
If we can have our own accreditation body functional soon, we can export PPE and masks on a massive scale to the global market, said Salman F. Rahman, while adding that the Government is in talks with some global testing entities to conduct the tests locally.
Adding that laboratory tests are must for exporting PPE, masks and gowns of level 3 and 4 – Bangladesh currently produces face masks of level 1 and 2 as per WHO standards – he said the Government is trying to establish testing facilities soon and working towards conducting tests of such items under the Industries Ministry’s accredited body.
The private industry and investment affairs adviser to the Prime Minister made these observations taking part in a virtual meeting organised by the Commerce Ministry.
