Morocco Ramps Up Face Mask Production, Eyes 50% Export Capacity

In an interview with lobservateur.info, Mohammed Boubouh, president of the Moroccan Association of Textile and Clothing Industries (AMITH) provided details.

On the state of mask production, Mohammed Boubouh said that Morocco started with a low level, which quickly increased to reach a daily production of 7 million masks. Several production units, a total of 32 companies, have been mobilized and have obtained the required certification, says the president of AMITH. Arrangements have also been made to ensure the availability of raw materials for large-scale production, well above local demand. The goal, according to Mohammed Boubouh, is to increase the production capacity of washable woven masks by two million per day in the coming days.

Addressing the move to exports, the AMITH president assured that the kingdom’s mask production can meet the demands of the public and private sectors, and the move to exports will not pose any problem. Exports will be possible as soon as the Minister of Industry gives authorization and once the priority needs of the kingdom have been met. "At least 50% of production will be reserved for the local market and the rest will be directed to exports," he specifies, before indicating that many Europeans are already expressing their demand for Moroccan masks.

Mask production is a breath of fresh air for the kingdom’s textile sector. A sector severely affected by the covid-19 crisis. For the AMITH president, it is much more an act of solidarity than a way to make a profit.

The official acknowledged the efforts made by the public authorities to support the productive fabric and the vast majority of operators have been impacted by the various measures taken. An assessment of the impacts as well as proposals will be necessary for a real restart of the sector, insists the AMITH president.