Sri Lanka to export 200 million face masks to US

15 May 2020 12:47 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Brandix Apparel Limited has started to export 200 million face masks to the United States, the company said.

Issuing a statement Brandix said that Special Representative of the President and Head of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication, Basil Rajapaksa, symbolically handed over the first batch of face masks from a production of 200 million face masks for export by Brandix, to U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz.

The handover took place at the Brandix Headquarters on 14th May 2020 in the presence of A. Sukumaran – JAAF Chairman, Ashroff Omar - Brandix Group Chief Executive Officer and Ms. Ranga Ranmadugala – Board Member of Brandix Apparel Limited.

U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz expressed her appreciation to Mr. Rajapaksa and Brandix. “As the world combats this global pandemic, the long friendship between the United States and Sri Lanka is helping both our countries overcome this challenge. Our collaboration has resulted in quality products that can help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Impressively, the fabric used for the face masks was produced in Sri Lanka, while the chemicals used for the antimicrobial finish were made in the United States, demonstrating a synergy that benefits all. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Sri Lankan Government and Brandix to sustain the global supply of PPE.”

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Rajapaksa said, “We are proud that products manufactured in Sri Lanka such as these 200 million face masks are being exported to nations like the US, where it will play a vital role in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration between the two countries has resulted in sustaining our national economy, in addition to paving way for global customers to reach out to Sri Lanka for quality products in the months ahead. We are glad that a leader in apparel like Brandix utilized its resources to lead the way in this journey, giving the global market a glimpse of the advanced infrastructure and agility that is already in place within Sri Lanka, in order to meet the current and future market demands.”

The face masks produced by Brandix have been manufactured combining the efforts of over 15,000 of the company’s Associates and an extended network of several supply chain partners in the country. The face masks, produced as 3-ply and of cotton-based fabric with antimicrobial finish, is stretchable for better fit and meet stringent hygiene standards.

Speaking on the endeavour, Ms. Ranga Ranmadugala – Board Member of Brandix Apparel Limited commented, “The apparel industry is a key export revenue generator in Sri Lanka, generating $5.6 billion of exports in the last fiscal year itself. However, the unavoidable decline in trade and production output resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, has left the industry facing its toughest predicament in recent times, impacting Sri Lanka’s positioning against other apparel export markets. In this daunting background, the production of a large volume of face masks for export to the US is truly heartening as it reaffirms the continued trust and partnership the two nations uphold.” She added, “Despite the challenging conditions and the tough road ahead, the industry will continue to do its part to combat potential long-term impacts of the pandemic and bring in revenue to replenish the national economy. We are also happy that we can continue to sustain livelihoods through continued production as well. As a leader in apparel, we assure the Government of Sri Lanka that we will do our utmost to support the journey ahead.”

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Comments - 13

ChanakaJ Friday, 15 May 2020 03:47 AM

Trust? Only fools trust hawks....

Nimal Friday, 15 May 2020 03:55 AM

Any masks left for the locals or are we importing?

Raj Friday, 15 May 2020 03:56 AM

Every country wants to protect its image and reputation. See how cleverly the American Ambassador was planting into every ones mind that even though Sri Lanka is helping America still America is the advanced country, when she said “ While the Chemicals Used For the Antimicrobial Finish Were Made In the United States “.

People have no mask Friday, 15 May 2020 04:29 AM

Why SL government export masks to the U. S to earn foreign currency while SL is continuously receiving masks and other equipments from China free of charge and many local people having no mask but to using cloth to cover their mouth and nose when going outside?

RP Friday, 15 May 2020 05:36 AM

Kudos to the Brandix Apparel. Always proud whenever Sri Lankan firms shine. I'm a promoter of local talent as well as local industries. The government should always seek local industries for it's projects rather than passing on to the foreign firms. Cheers.

Andrew Silva Friday, 15 May 2020 05:49 AM

Sending coal to Nwe Castle. Tea would have been a better choice.

Max Friday, 15 May 2020 07:04 AM

This is great initiative

Desert fox Friday, 15 May 2020 07:28 AM

This is great. While Sri Lanka exports face masks to other countries can someone make arrangements to have affordable masks available to us Sri Lankans. Currently there is a scaresicity of masks and the available ones are priced at very high prices. And stop importing masks from other countries.

T.j.miskin Friday, 15 May 2020 07:39 AM

Well done Brandix.

Bande Friday, 15 May 2020 07:56 AM

Great news....this is the way forward to come out of the current crisis. Pl use this opportunity to get more orders from other countries and extend product portfolios with similar products. It’s essential to carry “Made in SriLanka “ in each product items.

Kusal Friday, 15 May 2020 08:21 AM

The only masks we can buy here are home made crap.

Kim Anderson Friday, 15 May 2020 08:48 AM

Considering the US dollar to the Sri Lankan Rupee it must be dirty cheap to import face masks from Sri Lanka. With many countries now producing their own face masks very soon there's going to be a glut and the cheap and defective Chinese face marks will lose their international market. A bitter lesson for the Chinese for spreading the corona virus around the world.

BBS Friday, 15 May 2020 09:49 AM

Well done - keep our flag flying !

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Sri Lanka to export 200 million face masks to US

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