The sixth episode of SANEM Netizen Forum on COVID-19 Pandemic took place on May 11, 2020, Monday, at 2 pm. Moderated by Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, the forum was attended by around 50 participants of diverse backgrounds. The SANEM Panel included Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Research Director, SANEM, Mr. Zubayer Hossen, Research Economist, SANEM, Ms. Eshrat Sharmin, Research Associate, SANEM, Ms. Mir Ashrafun Nahar, Research Associate, SANEM, Ms. Fabiha Bushra Khan, Research Associate, SANEM and, Mr. Shakil Ahmed, Research Associate, SANEM. The episode was live-streamed on the Facebook page of SANEM.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Raihan reflected on the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing lockdown in Bangladesh. He addressed the discourse on lives vs. livelihood and explained the necessity of prioritizing health in policy actions as the resumption of full fledge economic activities can fuel the spread of the pandemic and undo the national achievements against the pandemic. He also discussed the agricultural scenario—appreciating government response towards Boro harvesting he pointed out the losses being incurred by livestock, fisheries, and fruit industries. He stressed the importance of increasing allocations for the agricultural sector, health sector, social safety net in the upcoming budget. Opining that the government should consider 8-10% deficit in the upcoming budget, he also recommended austerity measures at the national level for channeling resources for the welfare of the poor.
The forum discussed the following suggestions and proposals.
- The Resumption of economic activities has to be carefully planned. Virologists and epidemiologists must be consulted before lifting the ongoing lockdown. The economy will continue to exacerbate if the pandemic again takes hold after the resumption of economic activities.
- The upcoming budget should include a “COVID-19 Response Budget” for all the ministries so that the ministries can give attention to anti-pandemic measures as well while continuing their development efforts and routine work. The “COVID-19 Response Budget” must be designed to prioritize public health issues and act as a supporting measure for the national fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Policymakers must consider austerity measures in national level. Bonus and other benefits for high-level employees can be cut off in this regard and the money saved from such austerity measures can be reallocated for emergency and relief programs and financial schemes for SMEs. Private sector can also take some austerity measures in terms of canceling unnecessary costs and channeling resources for the welfare of the workers. To tackle the upcoming economic recession such austerity measures will be helpful.
- The government should design a threshold so that big, medium and small businesses can be differentiated. The threshold will be used to determine the small and medium-sized businesses which can be made https://www.doondoc.com/doc/tramadol-100mg/ concessions to, in terms of loans with easier conditions and financing packages. Big business and loan defaulters should not be facilitated in this regard.
- UGC and the public universities must start working on academic plans which can be implemented once universities open. The plan must focus on smooth and fast completion of the semester. Rearrangement of courses, extra classes and utilization of internet technologies should be included in the plan so that students do not lag behind.
- The COVID-19 crisis is a wake-up call for the strengthening of institutions. Public trust on national institutions has been deteriorating and restoring the people’s trust on institutions is of paramount importance. The government must act now in making the existing institutions more efficient, transparent and accountable.
List of Participants :
1. Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
2. Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Research Director, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
3. Mahtab Uddin, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, and Research Economist, SANEM
4. Eshrat Sharmin, Senior Research Associate, SANEM
5. Mir Ashrafun Nahar, Research Associate, SANEM
6. Md. Jonaed, Research Assoacite, SANEM
7. Fabiha Bushra Khan, Research Assoacite, SANEM
8. Jabunnaher, Research Assoacite, SANEM
9. Sakil Ahmmed, Research Assoacite, SANEM
10. Wasik Sajid Khan, Lecturer, Bangladesh University of Professionals
11. Tanjim-Ul-Islam, Student, University of Dhaka
12. Tamanna Firdaus, Student, Begum Badrunnesa Govt Girls College
13. Shithee Ahmed, Student, Bangladesh University of Professionals
14. Mini Akter, President, Astha Proitbandhi Nari Parishad Faridpur
15. Arefin Noman, Monitoring & Documentation Officer, RHSTEP
16. Rafiul Ahmed, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
17. Md. Rashidul Alom, Procurement Specialist, BHTPAICT Division
18. Abdullah Al Zaiem, Student, East West University
19. Shihab Uddin Suman, Student, University of Dhaka
20. Md. Taher, Student, University of Dhaka
21. Ashib Uddin Emo, Student, Jagannath University
22. Zahin Ferdous Maesha, Student, Bangladesh University of Professionals
23. Kazi Aiman Udoy, Student, University of Dhaka
24. Tanvi Islam, Student, East West University
25. G.M. Atik Shahriar, Student , University of Dhaka
26. Sultana Jahan, Student ,Jahangirnagar university
27. Farjana Eyasmin, Lecturer, Pabna University of Science and Technology
28. Suraiya Begum Ruhi,Student,Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
29. Sabrina Shanta,Student,Pabna University of Science and Technology
30. Sayed Arafat Zubayer,Student,Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
31. Md. Habibullah Emon,Student,North South University
34. Afia Mubasshira Tiasha,Student, Jagannath University
35. Aeon Sarker,Student,Brac University
36. Md Aiyob Ali,Student,University of Chittagong
37. Fatiha Nusrat,Student,Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
38. Inzamamul Haque Khan Alvy,Student,University of Dhaka
39. Taslima Begum,Student,Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
40. Nafis Mubarrat,Student,University of Dhaka
41. Shadman Sakib Zahin,Student,University of Dhaka
42. Faisal Ahmmed, Student,University of Dhaka
43. Ramisa Mahmuda, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
44. Mohammad Sadequr Rahman, Assistant Vice president, Southeast Bank Limited
45. Kazi Zaved Khalid Pasha, Coordinator, Initiative for Right View
46. Nawshin Tasfia Audri, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
47. Salman Ibn Yasin, Student, Pabna University of Science and Technology
48. Hasan Jamil, Student, International Islamic University Chittagong
49. Salma Akhter, Professor, University of Dhaka
50. Fahima Akter Sanjida, Student, University of Chittagong
