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The Portuguese industry produces a million masks daily with the priority of supplying the domestic market, but it is starting to export.
The Minister of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, was, this Sunday, buy masks on a commercial surface to demonstrate what the new reality of the Portuguese will be like, since today they have the mask as a new mandatory accessory in public spaces, such as commerce and transport.
“We currently have in Portugal a production capacity of more than a million a day and each time we will begin to produce more reusable masks, that is, masks that, instead of having to be used once and thrown away, can be washed , maintaining its protective capacity, “he said.
The minister pointed out that the national industry has mobilized a lot to increase production and this should in the “near future lower the prices” of this equipment, which will also contribute to the reduction of VAT to 6%, already approved in the Assembly of the Republic.
“At this moment, the Portuguese companies not only produce for the national market, but they are also beginning to produce for export and, therefore, I am convinced that, as we have more supply, the price will be more accessible” he added. at current prices.
Siza Vieira noted that this export already occurs “essentially to European countries and even in relatively small quantities. “
“TO Obviously, the priority of Portuguese companies continues to be the supply of the national market., but as we have the capacity to produce, and as you know, Portugal is an important producer of textile and clothing products, we will begin to export, because this will be a product that, in the near future, will be very necessary in Europe, in the United States. United, and we cannot depend only on China, which traditionally was the main producer of this type of equipment, “he stressed.
The minister also referred to the mobilization of a group of industry producers to comply with the quality and safety standards and specifications defined by Infarmed, which approve the certification of the Technological Center for the Textile and Clothing Industry.
“Right now we have 135 teams already certified and companies are starting to produce,” he said, stressing, “The most important thing to have this equipment available at an affordable price is to increase production as much as possible.”
Siza Vieira emphasized that there are many channels to distribute these materials in addition to pharmacies, such as food distribution, supermarkets and vending machines, so that these products are available as other products for regular and common use.
“What we are trying to ensure is that, when accessing schools, teaching staff, non-teaching staff and students have access to the masks made available by the state. The same is obviously true for those who are employees who lack of this type of protective equipment in their daily activities: health personnel from the security forces, etc., “he said.
The general population, on the other hand, will have more equipment or a clothing product available in supermarkets for daily use, he added.
With regard to alcohol-based hygiene products, the minister stressed that producers of alcoholic beverages and various types of disinfection materials have also redirected their production towards these products.
“I think, for that reason as well, we will begin to see these types of products not only in abundance but also at a more affordable price,” he added.
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