Covid-19 Pandamic In Bangladesh : Economic Impacts and Policy Implications

The overview organizes policy priorities around resilience, inclusion, and competitiveness. On resilience, it proposes institutionalizing crisis playbooks: standing budget lines for emergency transfers, pre-approved credit guarantees, interoperable registries for quick targeting, and stockpiles for critical health supplies. On inclusion, it recommends consolidating social protection programs, expanding mobile money rails for last-mile delivery, and closing gender gaps in finance and skills through targeted instruments. On competitiveness, it advances a three-track agenda: (1) move up the apparel value chain with investments in design, compliance tech, and energy efficiency; (2) accelerate growth in pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, and IT-enabled services via standards, testing, and skills partnerships; and (3) modernize trade facilitation through e-customs, data-driven risk management, and single-window interoperability. Cross-cutting enablers include better data (firm and household panels), improved municipal finance to upgrade urban services, and climate-risk screening for public investment. The overview underscores sequencing—stabilize balance sheets, then crowd in private investment with predictable regulation—and calls for rigorous monitoring frameworks to keep reforms on track.