The State of Economic Development in South Asia: A Compendium of Deliberations: Econ Dev Discussion 2020-21

The present volume, The State of Economic Development in South Asia: A Compendium of Deliberations – Econ Dev Discussion 2020-21 is a compilation of analytical reflections and examinations of the economic growth and development in the countries of South Asia. The compendium is a product of the series, The State of Economic Development in South Asia – #EconDevDiscussion under the IMPRI South Asia Studies Center (SASC). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of disruption of markets and livelihoods across all the sectors of the economies has varied in extent and intensity. The series explores the possible strategies for recovery from the same by focusing on economic development, international and national policies, and addressing welfare and inequality. It unravels the role of governance, corporations, civil society, the populace, and other actors in realizing an equitable society.

Chapter 1 highlights the ‘Government Policy and Rural Development in Bangladesh’. It addresses how Bangladesh has elevated its stature from being a least developed country to an emerging economy, and in what ways has the focus on rural development contributed to the same. Chapter 2 addresses the ‘Nationally Determined Contributions to Climate Change in Sri Lanka’, which shows how the island country stands at the risk of continued increase in global temperatures. Chapter 3 deals with the ‘Trade and Policy Shocks in Nepal amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Observations, Lessons and the Way Forward’. It shows how the small landlocked country stood at crossroads in policy decisions- prioritizing public health over other sectors. Chapter 4 addresses the ‘Changing Dynamics of India’s Trade under COVID-19: Trade Openness and Value Chain Participation’. It emphasizes the dilemma of how India responded to the interruptions in the global value chain and the implications.

Chapter 5 deliberates upon the ‘Financial Inclusion in Bangladesh: Initiatives, Achievements, and Way Forward amidst COVID -19 Pandemic’. Chapter 6 focuses on ‘Designing built environment for comfort, wellbeing, and happiness in Bhutan’. It brings out a new dimension of livelihood practices and how urbanization meets the conventional in the country. Chapter 7 examines ‘The State of the Bangladesh Economy in the Times of COVID-19: Impact and the Way Forward’, and Chapter 8 deals with ‘India’s New Agricultural Laws 2020: Looking Beyond Farmers’ Concerns’. Chapter 9 delineates the ‘The State of “No-Land’s Man”: The Human Rights of Rohingyas’ that explores another dimension of development by highlighting the status of social welfare and equality across countries and its deterioration during the pandemic.

Chapter 10 highlights the ‘Changing Tourism Prospects and Policy Options for Sustainable Tourism in Sri Lanka’ and Chapter 11 describes the issues related to the ‘Regional Trade and Developmental Challenges in South Asia’ and traces the trends in the economic sectors of trade and tourism owing to the restrictions on the movements of goods and humans across borders, dwindling demand, and changing fiscal and monetary policies. Chapter 12 examines the initiatives of ‘Model Gaon एक नयी सोच, एक नयी पहल’ that delineates a project concentrated at the village level. If employed, it seeks to bring the parameters of agriculture, education sanitation, among others that define development, to the center stage. Chapter 13 throws some light on ‘Enabling Micro Enterprises for Economic Growth: Entrepreneurship Development with Government Policy Interventions in Nepal’ which seeks to understand the response of various governmental regimes towards tackling the pandemic and mitigating its effects.

In all, this volume addresses a wide range of topical issues that have immense policy relevance which concern the development and welfare of people in connection with the politico-socio-economic changes, which have been further complicated by COVID-19 and environmental changes.