New Delhi, May 22 (KNN) The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) will now explore the possibility of exporting Khadi masks to countries like USA, Dubai, Mauritius, after the Commerce ministry lifted the ban on export of non-medical masks.

''Keeping in view the huge demand of face masks during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the KVIC has developed double layered and triple-layered Cotton as well as Silk face masks respectively, available in two colours for men and in multiple colours for women,'' KVIC said in a statement on Thursday.

The KVIC has so far received orders to supply 8 lakh masks and has already supplied more than 6 lakh masks during Lockdown period. KVIC received orders from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister's Office, Central Government ministries, J&K government and orders through email from general public. 

Apart from sale, over 7.5 lakh Khadi masks have been distributed free to the District Authorities by Khadi Institutions across the country.

The KVIC plans to supply khadi face masks in countries like Dubai, USA, Mauritius and several European and Middle East countries where Khadi's popularity has significantly grown over the last few years through the Indian embassies.

KVIC Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena said the export of Khadi masks is an appropriate example of "Local to Global".

"The popularity of Khadi fabric and other Khadi products has grown significantly across the globe in recent years after the appeal by the Prime Minister. The export of Khadi masks will lead to spike in production and ultimately create large scale employment opportunity for artisans in India," Saxena said.

"These masks prepared from Double Twisted khadi fabric not only meet the quality and scale of demand but are cost effective, breathable, washable, reusable and bio- degradable" Saxena added.