The government is making extensive preparations to deal with the overall economy in the event of a second wave of Covid-19, said official sources.
Instead of imposing further lockdowns like in other countries, the government is preparing a guideline to keep factories, markets and shopping malls open in compliance with the health rules, the sources maintained.
A joint working group has already been formed by the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture to keep production uninterrupted, and prices of goods under control.
They said that keeping the issue of low-income people in consideration, the government market regulator agency, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), will continue to sell products at subsidized prices. Besides, the authorities concerned have been advised to increase the import of goods in advance from different countries, including in Europe.
They also said, the Ministry of Commerce is going to hold a meeting to get prepared to deal with the virus during the coming winter. Industrialists, investors, importers, exporters of garment industry and also traders from different sectors are expected to be present at the meeting scheduled to be held next week in the Ministry of Commerce.
The second wave of COVID-19 has started across the world, including in Europe, the US, Canada and neighbouring India. Many European countries have already started lockdowns to save lives.
In all aspects, corona infection is feared to increase in Bangladesh during the coming winter.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has expressed concern in this regard while also speaking about the preparations. The Ministry of Health has taken various initiatives for the treatment of patients in the event of corona increase.
Under the circumstances, the Ministry of Commerce has taken preparatory programmes on how the overall economic activities of the country will work if the corona hikes. Highest priority has been given to compliance with hygiene.
The government is going to prescribe guidelines to all district chambers and sector-based associations affiliated to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex body of traders. For example, 50 lakh workers are working in about 8,500 factories under Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). These factories have been asked to ensure that the products are manufactured in compliance with cent percent hygiene rules.
Commerce Secretary, Dr. Zafar Uddin said the government has started making all kinds of preparations to cope with a second wave of COVID-19. Highest emphasis has been put on the hygiene rules, so that every person in the country can follow the hygiene rules and carry out normal activities.
The Commerce Secretary said, “Even if many countries go into lockdown, trading and commercial activities will remain uninterrupted in our country. Therefore, initiatives have been taken to increase import activities from different countries.”
“Besides, the ministries of Commerce and Agriculture will work simultaneously to keep production and marketing of products uninterrupted. A working group has been formed for this purpose. The co-chairs of this group will be the secretaries of the two ministries,” he added.
He further said that the price of any product will not increase in winter. Adequate quantities of onions have already been imported. Besides, winter vegetables have started coming to the markets. Highest priorities are being given on proper marketing of all the products.
