ZCZC
JS-22
BUDGET-FY22-STIMULUS-PACKAGE
Implementation progress of COVID-19 stimulus package is 68.2pc
DHAKA, June 3, 2021 (BSS) – The implementation progress of the 23 COVID-19 stimulus packages declared by the government is 68.2 percent till April 2021.
“In the last one year, we have gradually expanded the size and scope of the packages and brought newer affected sectors and affected populations within the government support mechanism. So far, we have introduced 23 recovery packages with a combined value of Taka 1,28,441 crore which is approximately 4.2 percent of GDP,” said Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal while placing the national budget for fiscal year (FY) 2021-22 today at Jatiya Sangsad.
He informed that the first case of COVID-19 in the country was identified on 8 March, 2020, but the virus started spreading in various regions of the world, including China, Europe, USA, as early as January of that year which impacted our economy negatively as export and import slowed down.
“Against this background, we acted at the very early stage of the pandemic. The first impact on our economy came in the form of cancellation and postponement of export orders of readymade garments that risked the jobs of millions of workers in that sector. We acted upon very promptly and created an emergency fund of Taka 5,000 crore on March 31, 2020 to provide salary support to the workers of the export-oriented industries,” he added.
He said “We also had to implement the strict social distancing measures during late March to mid-May last year to contain the spread of the virus which resulted in temporary closure of many businesses and as a result, the economy slowed down considerably. The Hon’ble Prime Minister, on 5 April, 2020, declared 4 economic recovery packages worth Tk. 67,750 Crore to combat the slowdown.”
BSS/KUC/FI/ 1738 hrs