As one of the leading think tanks of South Asia, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) is continuously taking part in the social actions necessary to fight the pandemic. In that endeavor, SANEM has launched the “SANEM Netizen Forum on COVID-19 Pandemic”. After receiving overwhelming response to its call for participation the Forum has already met twice and its second online meeting titled Episode-02 was conducted on April 10, 2020, Friday at Bangladesh time 4 pm.

This forum connects the SANEM Team led by Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM, with academicians, researchers, development practitioners and students around the world. Conducting online discussions once a week through SKYPE, the forum aims to contrive policy pathways and community actions for tackling the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second episode of the Forum was moderated by Dr. Selim Raihan. 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, Mr. Mahtab Uddin, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Research Fellow, SANEM and Mr. Shoaib Ahamad, Programme Associate, SANEM. Among others, the forum was joined by Kazi Faisal Seraj, Country Representative of Asia Foundation in Bangladesh and Mr. Sovik Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, India. A total of 25 participants joined the online meeting.

The meeting started with Dr. Raihan briefly assessing the global and domestic economic situation and the pandemic’s impacts. He also presented the policy suggestions announced by SANEM a few days ago. Referring to the poverty scenario of Bangladesh, Dr. Raihan pointed out that a slight increase in the income threshold for poverty line almost doubles the number of poor and vulnerable people. The pandemic may heavily impact these people and worsen the poverty situation in Bangladesh. To counter this, he emphasized on cooperation among local representatives, volunteers and NGOs in grassroot level. Corruption being an issue of concern, Dr. Raihan opined that strong political commitment to transparency and accountability is crucial. Drawing the forum’s attention to the institutional failures of Bangladesh, he remarked that it is high time the government increased the budget allocations for health sector: “Only 0.4 percent of GDP is now allocated for health sector. We propose to increase it by ten-fold to 4 percent.” Elaborating on the civil society organizations’ role in overlooking the institutional functions of the country for ensuring better results Dr. Raihan highlighted the necessity for actions by business associations like FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, in tackling the economic challenges of the pandemic. He also expressed hope that detailed stimulus package, financing mechanism, problems in taxations and much required reform in the banking sector in light of the looming global economic recession will be reflected in the upcoming national budget.

The following issues and policy suggestions were discussed in the meeting:

Fiscal Policy, Deficit, Financing, Budget and Taxation

• No alternative to expansionary fiscal policy, although we might have to concede budgetary deficit.
• Expanding Social Safety Net is a must. However, leakage has to be avoided or minimized.
• Financing of stimulus package and other policy actions depend on the government’s ability to negotiate with donors and international debtors.

Health service, distribution of relief package and food

• Cooperation among government, NGOs and local initiatives is important for distribution of relief package. Involvement of business associations and mobile banking services may also prove to be immensely useful.
• Private sector has to step up in supplying necessary medical equipment.
• Health sector requires immediate attention and drastic measures have to be taken to tackle the pandemic. Access to health service in root level must be ensured.

Agriculture

• A crisis in Borro harvesting in imminent. Inter-ministry collaboration is crucial for averting the crisis.
• Stay-home orders might have to be relaxed at late April for facilitating internal mobility of agricultural labour.
• Relocation of health service centers is important for ensuring safety of agricultural workers.

Stimulus package, workers and employee benefit

• Employees and workers should be most prioritized in the stimulus packages.
• Loans with flexible conditions and rent subsidy can be helpful for supporting workers and employees.

Impact of the pandemic on RMG and other export-oriented industries

• Government and leaders of RMG industry have to negotiate with trader partners and buyers to restore orders and business.
• There is no alternative to product diversification.
• The stimulus package must address other export-oriented industries. Unless, some small industries might even lose the capacity to export.

Domestic Violence and Mental Health

• There is a crisis in mental health and domestic violence, due to stay-home orders.
• Women and children are in an extremely vulnerable position as domestic violence has increased.
• Decrease in income and sudden change in normal day-to-day routine is contributing to depression and domestic violence.

Impact on Mega Projects in Bangladesh

• A re-assessment of the ongoing mega projects in necessary.
• Social Safety Measures have to prioritized over infrastructures and mega projects.

Impact on Remittance

• The shock to remittance will affect many households and even push some below the poverty line.
• Diplomatic negotiation is important in restoration of jobs for immigrant workers.
• A strategy on integrating returning immigrant workers in national economy has become necessary.

Education

• The potential of online education has to be thoroughly explored.

List of Participants : 

1. Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (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. Zubayer Hossen, Research Economist,  South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM)

4. Mahtab Uddin, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka

5. Faisal Seraj, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation

6. Sovik Mukherjee, Assistant Professor in Economics, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata

7. Nazrul Islam, Lecturer, Department of Economics, Rabindra University, Bangladesh

8. Rafiul Ahmed, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

9. Samir Kumar Paul, Development Professional, JAAGO Foundation

10. Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Private Service, Rahimafrooz Bangladesh Limited

11. Faria Tabassum, Research Assistant, Institute for Policy, Advocacy and Governance

12. Razon Chandra Saha, PhD Researcher, Bangladesh University of Professionals

13. Sayed Arafat Zubayer, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

14. Kazi Mahir Tajwar, Student, Jahangirnagar University

15. Suvajit Banerjee, PhD Student, Visva Bharati University

16. Mehedi Hasan, Student, Jahangirnagar University

17. Jasia Tahzeeda, Student, BRAC University

18. Farhin Islam, Student, University of Dhaka

19. Abul Kalam Azad, Banker, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited

20. Sumiya Rahman, Student, University of Dhaka

21. Ashib Uddin Emo, Student, Jagannath University

22. Sakib Mahmud, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

23. G.M. Atik Shahriar, Student, University of Dhaka

24. Rafiul Ahmed, Student, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

25. Samir Kumar Paul, Development Professional, JAAGO Foundation

26. Shoaib Ahamad, Programme Associate, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM)