Vaccination not prioritised in proposed budget: Atiur Rahman

The government needs to ensure vaccination for 70 percent of Bangladeshis as soon as possible but it has not prioritised vaccination in the proposed budget, said former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman.

Speaking at a post-budget virtual meeting organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) today, he said quick vaccination of such large numbers can bring back confidence among businesspeople and contribute to a V-shaped economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and its fallout.

"Forget the implementation and deficit issues in the budget. We need vaccination for the people. The partnership between government and private sector can turn around and fight back against Covid-19 to recover of the economy," said Rahman.

Vaccination was not given priority in the proposed budget, and there are no alternative vaccines now, said Rahman, adding that the social safety net allocations will not entirely serve the new poor created by the fallout of Covid-19.

The post-budget virtual meeting was also attended by ministers, government high-ups, businessmen, and leaders from business chambers and trade bodies.