Among the world’s developing regions, South Asia has the highest share of informal employment. More than 80 percent of workers in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are informal. These workers are excluded from labor laws and social protection schemes that apply to organized labor and the specific risks associated with COVID-19 exacerbate their situation. Informal workers are particularly vulnerable to shocks as they tend to have less cash on hand and more limited access to credit. They are also more likely to lose their jobs and face extreme poverty and food insecurity as the pandemic intensifies across the region. This webinar brings together academics, policy advisors, health policy experts, and civil society leaders to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on South Asia’s most vulnerable people.
Registration not required. Visit this page when the event goes live. Regional integration, cooperation, and engagement can produce significant gains across South Asia. Intra-regional trade, for instance, stands at only a third of its potential with an estimated gap of $23 billion. Cooperation in energy between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal could lead to savings of $17 billion. Transporting goods across the region can cost up to 50 percent more than within the OECD countries. As South Asia grapples with the economic impact of COVID-19, it has an opportunity to strengthen regional institutions, improve regional infrastructure and connectivity, advance trade policy, and develop cross-border solutions to shared problems The One South Asia webinar series is part of the World Bank’s updated regional integration, cooperation, and engagement strategy for South Asia that focuses on enabling economic connectivity, reducing vulnerabilities, and investing in human capital. We invite you to send questions to panelists by email: OneSouthAsia@worldbank.org Join the conversation online with #OneSouthAsia
The COVID-19 crisis has triggered an economic fallout that will drive millions into poverty and worsen inequality. Amid the mounting human and economic toll, South Asian countries have ramped action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, and set the stage for recovery. Bringing together different actors of society, including academics, policy advisors, finance experts, and civil society leaders, this event will discuss COVID-19 impacts on South Asian economies and people, the pandemic’s effect on the stability of the financial sector, trade, and remittances, and opportunities for greater regional cooperation. Schedule *Each presentation will last 15 minutes followed by a 10-minute discussion 7:00 – 7:10 AM (EST): Opening remarks – Hartwig Schafer, Vice President for the South Asia Region, World Bank 7:10 – 7:35 AM (EST): Hans Timmer, Chief Economist for the South Asia Region, World Bank: Economic impact of COVID-19 on South Asia: a glance into the South Asia Economic Focus 7:35 – 8:00 AM (EST): Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairperson, BRAC: The impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods ...