As pr A Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, the government's decision to remove export curbs on N-95 masks will open up global markets for Indian players engaged in the sector. It will increase India's exports by Rs 1,000 crore annually. The country will be able to bag export orders worth crore of rupees. Annual export of all PPE kits including N-95 masks could reach around Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.

The government removed export curbs on N-95 masks, which are in demand due to COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to promoting outbound shipments of the product. This will open up the global market for all items under PPE which has a total global market of more than $60 billion over the next five years, Sakthivel said. He further added this will strengthen domestic PPE manufacturers to compete at the international level. The industry is producing more than 50 lakh N-95 and 2/3 ply masks on a daily basis.