Researches played limited roles for SMEs to tackle pandemic: CPD

The researches related to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) done by different entities during the coronavirus pandemic have played limited roles in taking time-befitting policy measures to tackle the situation, the Centre for Policy Dialogue said today.

Both the government and the central bank have issued many guidelines for the implementation of the stimulus packages, but they did not give required emphasis to address the wish of the borrowers, it said.

The local think-tank came up with the remarks while disclosing a study titled "Covid-induced stimulus packages for SMEs and women-led enterprises: exploring research-policy interlinkages" at the Westin Dhaka hotel. 

The CPD arranged the discussion in a partnership with the Asia Foundation.

"In those circulars issued by the Bangladesh Bank, supply side issues (such as challenges of banking operations) have been more addressed compared to that of demand side issues (challenges of borrowers)," according to the study.

The policies in mitigating the crisis stemming from the pandemic have largely addressed the people or borrowers, who are in the surface.

The marginalised people either living in the rural area or working in the industries have been ignored.

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the CPD, presented the keynote paper at the seminar.