Kolkata, Apr 22 (KNN) Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in West Bengal have helped the state to become self-sufficient in producing sanitizers, masks and PPEs in just three weeks after the first COVID-19 positive case was detected on March 17. 

The State MSME, Excise Department and hundreds of MSME manufacturers helped in boosting ‘Made-in-Bengal’ products in fighting the pandemic.

Reportedly, the state has already produced 1.8 lakh litres of sanitizers, which is not only sufficient for hospitals but is also being marketed through medicine shops.

''Bengal was relatively unaffected till the middle of March. However, the situation changed once the first COVID-19 positive case was detected on March 17. Immediately, the government had assessed the requirements of supplies of essential items like thermal guns, PPEs, masks and hand sanitizers,'' said the state MSME secretary Rajesh Pandey. 

Pandey said that keeping in view the unavailability of hand sanitizers in the market and medicine shops which had almost dried up in the market by the third week of March, we contacted MSMEs engage in producing chemical products.

''It was realized that the traditional methods of its procurement would not work. So, the MSME units around Kolkata, which specialize in chemical products, were contacted” he added.

Since there was insufficient supply from the central undertakings, so we decided to make it ourselves, he said.

''Around 300 MSME units, including Metiaburuz garments clusters, are producing 10,000 plus PPEs per day. We are self-sufficient in N95 masks too,” he added.