Vaccinations to help revive economy: Planning minister

Bangladesh is in a much better economic position than that of other countries in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The country's economic crisis could be overcome by the middle of the year through vaccinations.

Planning Minister MA Mannan said this, with reference to the global lenders, at a webinar organised by the Centre for Governance Studies on 13 February, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, according to a media release.

The government is trying to make it easier for poor people to get loan assistance, he said.

A policy brief titled "Searching for Ways Forward for Bangladesh in the Time of Pandemic: Covid-19 and the Bangladesh Economy: Nature of the Downturn and Prospect for Recovery," written by Dr Nazneen Ahmed, was presented at the webinar.

In her policy brief, Dr Nazneen outlined the economic situation of the country during the pandemic and made some recommendations to overcome the problem.

She lauded the government's incentives package and urged policymakers to take steps for the health sector in the future by learning from the Covid-19 crisis.

She added that the existing law should be redesigned to prevent excess food stocks by auto rice millers.

Dr Nazneen emphasised the need for steps to address the crisis.

Former Commerce Minister and BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, addressed the webinar.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the country's economy is currently corrupt and controlled by certain groups.

He also criticised the government for involving private companies in the purchase of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The leader recommended reorganising the entire economic system.

The virtual programme was hosted by Zillur Rahman, executive director and TV presenter, at the Centre for Governance Studies.