Nepal-made face masks selling in Indian market

The face masks produced in Tikapur of Kailali are being sold in the Indian market to remain safe from coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Indian traders from the border towns have been coming to Tikapur to buy face masks after the shortage of face mask in their home market with masks selling like hot cakes amidst the coronavirus fear.  

The wholesale price of face masks manufactured by the Mahalaxmi Garment in Tikapur is Rs 15 per piece. “The Indian nationals also have started coming to the Nepal to buy the masks because they are cheaper,” garment industry operator Prakash Timilsina said. According to him, daily 10 Indian nationals come to us to buy the masks and one person takes up to 50 units.  

He shared that they have been producing 3,000 masks daily. He added that most of the districts from the western Nepal have placed order for face masks and they have started producing only masks by stopping manufacturing other garments. Timilsina said 40 women have been employed in this job and one woman has been making up to 200 face masks per day.  

Except the main instructor, all the workers in the factory are women. There is shortage of surgical masks in Kailali. Businessman who have face masks are selling it at Rs 40 per piece, according to the customers.