May 15, 2020
Next fiscal year’s budget priorities must be aligned with the needs of the pandemic-hit economy
The coronavirus-infected economy requires dealing with the disease burden and the economic devastation caused by measures to contain the virus.
May 10, 2020
Our sudden and decentralised restart is hard to fathom
Bangladesh’s restart is happening, whether science supports it or not.
April 27, 2020
Technology is a useful servant. Let’s harness it for social protection, social distancing and community testing.
The government is hard-pressed in responding to the raging coronavirus pandemic with every resource, instrument, policy and strategy it can get its hands on.
April 21, 2020
Cash transfer is the assistance the poor need right now
Early data on the poverty impact of the coronavirus-induced coma of the economy, as Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman characterises it, is rather alarming.
April 17, 2020
We paused the economy to save lives. But how do we press play again?
The historical novelty of the coronavirus shock has unravelled as the lockdown continues. Bangladesh’s economic expansion is projected to face a drastic brake.
April 12, 2020
Making the bell toll for the poor and the vulnerable
Are we doing enough to support households dependent on labour income from the formal and informal sectors in this time of distress?
April 7, 2020
Stimulus package geared towards the long road to normalcy
The Tk 72,750 crore package announced by the prime minister promises to provide support to small and large businesses in industry and services to tide over the disruptive stage of the pandemic.
April 6, 2020
It’s a good package, but its delivery holds the key
This is a good package committing 2.5 percent of GDP to keep businesses in industry and services afloat with a particular focus on protecting employment and labour income.
March 30, 2020
Coronavirus: Are the policy and community responses adequate?
The government and the Bangladesh Bank have come up with several initiatives in response to the evolving public health and economic crisis.
March 24, 2020
Bring on fiscal policy
If there ever was a challenging time for fiscal policy, this is it! The budgeting season for the government has started amidst a potential global health and economic crisis whose depth and duration...