Workers make fabric face masks. Local apparel producers are turning out a large volume of face masks given the undersupply of surgical masks - PHOTO: VNA

Truc Quang JSC is cooperating with Nha Be Retail Trading JSC to supply millions of masks to outlets of the Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) and VinMart.

Truc Quang chairman Nguyen Hong Quang said the company had increased its capacity to ensure it produces one million masks per month, but has yet to meet the demand.

Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) is also manufacturing masks using material from Dong Xuan Knitting Co., Ltd and Dong Nai Garment Corporation.

Dong Xuan Knitting Co., Ltd has increased its production to supply four to five million masks by the end of this month, and 80-100 tons of antibacterial knitted fabric to garment companies of Vinatex. Meanwhile, Dong Nai Garment Corporation, with a capacity of nine tons of fabric per day, can provide 350,000 masks a day for local consumption.

Than Duc Viet, general director of Garment 10 Corporation, said the firm would also produce masks to supply 50,000 units.

Meanwhile, retailers have cooperated with garment companies to put face masks on their shelves.

Saigon Co.op has ordered 1.5 million antibacterial masks from X28 Corporation, a unit of the Ministry of National Defense, with first deliveries beginning on February 12.

The Big C supermarket chain has also worked with producers to sell more than one million masks at stable prices, and with members of Vinatex to distribute 500,000 masks, while only charging the costs of manufacturing and without profits.

According to the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, 20 face masks producers in the city can supply the local market with 2.53 million units a day. As many firms are having difficulty securing enough materials for production, the department has sought help from the Ministry of Industry and Trade to import materials from India and Malaysia. SGT

Viet Dung

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