Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will unveil a work plan today (Sunday) to overcome the possible economic impact on the country due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), reports BSS.
“The prime minister will announce the work plan through a press conference at 10 am from her official Ganabhaban residence in,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS on Saturday.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar as well as private TV channels and radio stations will broadcast the press conference live, the press secretary said.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting in this connection was held at Ganobhaban on Thursday evening with Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports UNB. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, PM's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Finance Ministry Senior Secretary AbdurRouf, and PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present at the meeting.
While addressing the nation on March 25 on the occasion of the Independence and National Day 2020, the Prime Minister announced a stimulus package of Tk 5,000 crore for export-oriented industries to fight the adverse impacts of coronavirus on the country's economy. This money will be used for providing the salaries and wages of workers and employees only.
Besides, she said, the Bangladesh Bank has already taken some pro-business steps. The central bank will not announce any customer as loan defaulter till June next.
Hasina mentioned that the timeframe for achieving export earnings has been increased to six months from the existing two months. Similarly, meeting import expenses has been increased to six months from four months.
The Prime Minister said the limit of mobile banking has been increased while the payment of power, water and gas bills have been extended to June without any fine or surcharge and the payment of instalment of the NGOs has been suspended.
The government on March 23 declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent the transmission of deadly coronavirus. Later it was extended to April 11. But kitchen markets, food shops, pharmacies, hospitals and all emergency services are remained out of the purview of the general holidays.