Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for forging a collective global partnership and greater unity to fight the coronavirus pandemic as she placed a five-point proposal that includes devising meaningful strategies.

At a virtual regional conference, titled "Enhancing regional cooperation in South Asia to combat COVID-19-related impact on its economics", organised by The World Economic Forum (WEF), "The world is perhaps facing the biggest crisis in the last 100 years. So, we need to face the crisis together … We need an approach of collective responsibility and partnership from every society,"

While delivering her statement on "Bangladesh-Building Regional Resilience to fight COVID-19" from her official Ganabhaban residence yesterday, Hasina said, "We don't know how long the pandemic will persist… We need to bring economy, business and society on track; support people to overcome trauma and fear, and revive vital sectors."

The prime minister said she was placing five proposals as the world goes through such a complex scenario.

In her first proposal, Hasina said the world will need a new way thinking about human well-being, tackling inequality, supporting the poor and getting back our economies to pre-Covid levels as poverty and inequality within and among societies will increase rapidly due to the crisis.

In the second proposal, she said, "We need robust global leadership from G7, G20 and OECD. The UN-led multilateral system should step forward. So, the Forum and UN should mobilise and lead governments and global businesses on a focused policy discourse."

She expressed her eagerness to join any such initiative.

In the third proposal, the PM called for devising strategies and practical support measures as the world is currently witnessing a transformation in global businesses, work and manufacturing.

In her fourth proposal, she said a meaningful global strategy should be adopted to share the burden and responsibilities for the migrant workers.

In the fifth proposal, Hasina called for developing innovative solutions in various sectors to better prepare for the future.

"During this pandemic, we've effectively used some of the digital tools and technologies, like artificial intelligence and mobile phones to trace infections. So, to better prepare for the future, we can fast develop innovative solutions in various sectors," she said.

Illustrating her government's measures to combat the virus, she said that a 41-day holiday is in-force, while almost three-fourth of the country is under lockdown.

"I've already announced an 11.60 billion dollars package for various sectors of our economy which is equivalent to 3.3% of our GDP," she said, adding the primary focus of this package will be on manufacturing and service sectors, agriculture and social safety net facilities.

The prime minister said that Bangladesh's agriculture is being adversely affected due to disruption of supply chains.

"Around 3.5 billion dollars have been allocated for agriculture to cope with adverse impact," she noted.

Turning to Rohingyas, Sheikh Hasina said as Bangladesh is hosting 1.1 million Rohingya nationals, the government also included them in its overall strategy.

"Our policy mechanisms have focused on ensuring the GDP growth momentum by gearing up domestic demand, enhanced competitiveness and poverty eradication," she said.

In this regard, the premier said her government's main interventions will be increased public expenditure, introduced fiscal packages, expanded social safety net programmes and increased money supply.

https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/tackling-COVID-19-hasina-calls-global-partnership-1896265