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