Bangladesh PM announces Tk 5000-cr package for export units

Fibre2Fashion: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday announced a stimulus package of Tk 5,000 crore to help export-oriented industries fight the impact of COVID-19. In a televised address to the nation, she said the fund can be used only for paying wages and allowances to the workers and other employees. The government is prepared to tackle any ‘tough situation’, she said.

The Bangladesh Bank has announced that no one will be considered a loan defaulter till June. A nationwide lockdown has also been imposed. “The supply chains (of products) in the country and with outside world remain intact. So don’t hike the prices of the essential goods irrationally and increase the sufferings of the people,” she urged.

Hasina said the country is self-reliant in food as sufficient grains are stored in government warehouses, private mills and in farmers’ homes, according to Bangla media reports.

Preventing people from being infected with the virus is now the government’s highest priority, she said, offering details of steps being taken.