Bangladesh's economy under threat due to corona outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the corona-virus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic on 11 March, which has now spread to 170 countries & territories and infected over 330,000 people. This number does not adequately show the scale and magnitude  of this global crisis, which not only related to public health but also the health of the global economy.

Economists are grappling and trying to predict the aftermath of this massive disaster. No one knows exactly what will come tomorrow and thereafter and how the society, government, healthcare and the economy will change.

It is obvious that the marginal and growing economies will be severely affected. Therefore, it is of great concern for Bangladesh as more than 70% of its total export destinations are USA,UK, Canada and EU countries. Bangladesh's export earnings fell by 4.8% in the first eight months of the current fiscal year -- to $26.24 billion from $27.56 billion in the same period of the prior fiscal year -- and this downward trend might exacerbate in the coming months in the face of wholesale cancellation of export orders.. On the other hand, China is Bangladesh's largest trading partner and the highest contributor to its supply chain, which feeds into both export and import production.

Thus, Bangladesh's economic activities may hinder because of direct impact on production, supply chain and market disruption as well as impact on firms and financial markets. Financial sector, specifically the banking sector in Bangladesh, can be the most affected sector and Bangladesh's remittances is likely to slow down.

It is still too early to properly assess what damage the virus will have on the Bangladesh economy, since the situation is evolving every day, economic estimates can only provide a magnitude of the impact. The actual ramification will depend on the extent of the spread and length of the duration of the outbreak and how quickly policymakers can take action to mitigate the health and economic damage.

ICC Bangladesh believes the country is in the danger of not responding promptly and robustly enough to the impending challenges.  Therefore, there is a pressing need for our government and business to agree on an overarching policy framework in the face of growing uncertainty and volatility. We are resolute in our believe that only coordinated action will be effective in tackling a threat that, by its very nature, knows no borders.

We, therefore, urge the policy makers to take the lead in bringing both public and private sector leadership together to seek this outcome.  Bangladesh in the past has demonstrated its ability and resilience in combating the aftermath of a natural calamity and we hope, we shall be able to overcome this impending danger together with courage and fortitude.