While there are no signs yet of widespread food shortages, the report warned that a protracted Covid-19 crisis may threaten food security, especially for the most vulnerable. That would be the region's worst performance in the last 40 years, with temporary contractions in all South Asian countries. "The Covid-19 crisis is also an urgent call-to-action moment to pursue innovative policies and jumpstart South Asian economies once the crisis is over. Once lockdown restrictions are loosened, South Asian governments should adopt expansionary fiscal policies combined with monetary stimulus to keep credit flowing in their economies. Since many South Asian countries have limited fiscal space, these policies should target people worst hit by the freeze on economic activity.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 12, 2020 06:56 UTC