Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the finance ministry and other related ministries and divisions to formulate another financial stimulus package plan keeping the second wave of COVID-19 in consideration.
The prime minister gave the directive while presiding over a meeting held at Ganabhaban to finalise the 8th Fifth Year Plan (2021-2025). Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed the reporters after the meeting, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
Hasina had announced the first packages in March when the pandemic ravaged the global economy. Later, the incentives were raised past Tk 1 trillion, or 4.34 per cent of the country’s total GDP.
Readymade garment factories, the main exporting sector of Bangladesh, paid their workers and cut lay-offs by taking loans from the packages. Funds were also given to other sectors.
Economists hailed the packages that softened the blow of the pandemic to the economy. But exports stumbled again as Europe and the US have re-imposed tough curbs even during the Christmas holiday season after being hit by the second wave.
The apparel industry entrepreneurs and industrialists of other sectors have sought more government help.
General Economics Division member (senior sectary) of Planning Commission Dr Shamsul Alam presented the final 8th Fifth Year Plan (2021-2025) with the slogan 'Towards the prosperity with all'.
The prime minister witnessed the plans of various ministries and divisions in the 8th Fifth Year Plan (2021-2025) and gave necessary directives.
She asked the planning commission to make separate highlights on the strategy and action plan of the 8th Fifth Year Plan (2021-2025).
The 8th Fifth Year Plan (2021-2025) will be approved in the next ECNEC meeting.
The prime minister in the meeting said that she planned a roadmap for the development of the country while she was in the sub-jail during the 1/11 caretaker government.
She asked the concerned to work for expanding markets of Bangladeshi products in regional and international arena side by side of creating a stronger domestic market.
Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, Principal Secretary of PMO Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Senior secretary to the Planning Commission M Asadul Islam and senior secretary to the finance ministry Abdur Rouf were present in the meeting.
