Offtake of Economic Recovery Package Low Among Private Businesses – MBEI Survey Findings mizzima.com

COVID-19 has adversely affected the overall economy and the private sector businesses in Myanmar and the response from the government has been swift with various packages for recovery both from the supply as well as the demand side. However, a recent telephonic survey during end Apr-early May, among over 750 private businesses (food and beverages, manufacturing, accommodation, wholesale and retail trade, transport and storage) by The Asia Foundation point out that ?most businesses were not aware of the government support programmes for the enterprises impacted by COVID-19?. This implies that more intense efforts at awareness-raising may be required. The private sector is taking steps in terms of protecting the workers and customers through measures of social distancing and sanitation practices and there is an overwhelming satisfaction on the preventive steps taken by the union government as well state/regional governments.