ZCZC
BSS-41
COVID19-PM-PACKAGE-FBCCI
PM’s stimulus package focuses to save economy, livelihood: FBCCI
DHAKA, April 5, 2020 (BSS) – Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (FBCCI) today welcomed the stimulus package of Taka 72,750 crore to mitigate the
impact of coronavirus on the national economy.
In a quick note to media after the package was announced, FBCCI President Sheikh
Fazle Fahim described the package as “targeted and focused”, saying it would help all the
sectors.
“This stimulus package will be utilized in a targeted and focused way in micro,
small, medium and large enterprises, and in agriculture, manufacturing and service
sectors,” said Fahim, adding, “Through an efficient implementation of the package the
economy will stay stable and this stimulus package will act as a catalyst to do so.”
The Prime Minister earlier announced a Taka 5,000 crore incentive package for paying
the salaries and allowances of export-oriented industries’ workers and employees.
On Sunday, she announced four fresh financial stimulus packages of Taka 67,750 crore.
With the fresh allocations, the total amount of financial assistance would stand at Taka
72,750 crore, which is nearly 2.52 percent of GDP.
Sheikh Fahim thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for this courageous move and
appreciated the plan for increasing the government spending under the announced
programme.
“The stimulus package envisages higher government spending in the context of
current downtrend in exports and consumer spending. It has been designed this way so that
the economy can sustain at a pace it is going now,” he said.
The FBCCI President said the plans also focused on the workers’ livelihood and
their food security.
“If a worker becomes unemployed and goes to his village despite declared
incentives, that particular person will get salary, allowances and food from the
government for six months. This is a very focused measure. But the basic of the announced
package is that it will create a context in which unemployment will be discouraged,” he
added.
Fahim said the stimulus package will help the country go strong despite the
challenging time the nation is going through now.
“I strongly believe through the structured implementation of the announced measures
and a stronger public-private partnership, the economy will fare well,” he added.
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