DGFT removed ban on export of surgical drapes, X-ray gowns

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has lifted the ban on export of surgical drapes, isolation aprons, surgical wraps and X-ray gowns while maintaining the ban on other personal protective equipment.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

The latest notification is part of the regular calibration done by the foreign trade watchdog during the covid-19 pandemic to maintain a balance between ensuring enough supply of critical medical products for the Indian market while providing manufacturers the opportunity to export it overseas.

DGFT lifted its prohibition on export of personal protective equipment on on 29 June but imposed a monthly export quota of only 50 lakh units to safeguard supply to Indian healthcare workers fighting the covid-19 pandemic, which continues to stay in effect.

DGFT had also lifted the ban on export of controversial anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from it. The government had banned export of the drug, repurposed to fight covid-19, in March to maintain adequate supplies in India.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade

It is the agency of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India responsible for administering laws regarding foreign trade and foreign investment in India.

It provides a complete searchable database of all exporters and importers of India. The search can be completed only if full IEC code and first three letters of company name are entered.

The Central Government appoints any person to be the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Normally a member of the Indian Administrative Service having rendered 30 or more years is appointed to the post of the Director-General of Foreign Trade.

The Director-General heads an attached office under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India.