Many apparel makers in Bangladesh have expanded their PPE production capacity while others are investing afresh to gain the market share, sources said. Pran-RFL Group has invested $18 million for producing PPEs at the Adamjee EPZ (Export Processing Zone). Similarly Banga Plastic Internationa, a sister concern of the group plans to make 850 metric tons of PPEs, including surgical face masks, KN 95 masks, N 95 masks, surgical hand gloves, shoe cover, mop cap, medical gown, sanitary napkin, diaper and hand sanitizers, a year. The company signed a MoU with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on September 16. It will also produce toys and create employment for 1,900 people.

Likewise, Beximco supplied 6.5 million pieces of PPEs to US clothing giant Hanes within less than two months' time. 'Mapped in Bangladesh', a digital mapping technology that conducted a rapid survey on 3,342 export-oriented readymade garments (RMG) factories in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Chattogram, found that around 143 factories have been producing face masks and/or PPEs along with their regular products while 69 factories were producing PPEs for the global market and 66 factories for the domestic market.

Last month, Snowtex completed a work order by supplying 2.6 million face masks to a French buyer. Currently, the company is producing face masks only for the local market under the brand name of Sara. Rubana Haq, President, BGMEA says, Bangladesh has a great opportunity to diversify into PPEs as these exports have grown to $501 million in just about five years.

However, this would require capacity building in the industry together with the policy supports, Huq said, adding that Bangladesh needs special preparation to cater to this market, particularly it needs to develop special skill sets, technical knowhow, and make the right investments in backward linkages.