Myanmar Introduces COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan

As part of the effort to mitigate the economic impact of the global pandemic, Myanmar launched its COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) on April 29, implementing new measures and response plans starting from monetary reforms, increasing government spending to strengthening Myanmar’s healthcare system.

The Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry (MOPFI) stated that the plan includes 7 goals, 10 strategies, 36 action plans as well as 76 actions to flatten the curve without flattening the country's economy. At the same time, the government is also working to establish foundations that will facilitate Myanmar’s rapid economic recovery.

The CERP focuses to improve the microeconomic environment through monetary stimulus; ease the impact on the private sector by improving the investment, trade and banking sectors; assist laborers, workers, and households; promote innovative products and platforms; strengthen the healthcare system; and also increase access to COVID-19 response financing, including contingency funds.

Improving Macroeconomic and Supporting Private Sector

Among the provided monetary stimulus for macroeconomic improvement, CERP has lowered the bank’s deposit and lending rate ceiling by 3% and lowered the minimum Minimum Reserve Requirement on banks by at least 150 bps. The government is also planning to conduct credit auctions as necessary and temporarily reduce Treasury Bond/Bill auction sales.

In order to ease the impact on the private sector, CERP has provided 100 billion kyats 1-year working capital loans for affected MSMEs and CMP, particularly hotel/tourism sectors at 1% interest rate per annum. The plan shows that the fund size will increase to 200-500 billion kyats by the end of 2020.

Furthermore, the government has eased deadlines for tax payments and provided tax exemptions for Myanmar-owned businesses. Businesses will be exempted from paying the 2% advance income tax on exports until the end of the current fiscal year.

Promoting e-Payment and e-Commerce

CERP is also seeking to promote the use of available mobile payment services and ensure e-commerce and social-commerce sales only accept electronic money through bank transfers or mobile payments or card payments.

Adding to that, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Transport and Communications are encouraging retail businesses to make use of existing local/overseas e-commerce or social-commerce websites where they can post their products and sell online. Under this plan, the government is also promoting delivery/logistic firms to provide delivery services to online customers.

Easing Impact on Workers and Households

CERP also aims to ease the impact of COVID-19 on workers by extending healthcare benefits for unemployed Social Security Board (SSB) members from 6 months to 1 year. Medicine and travel benefits have been extended for the same period.

Meanwhile, in order to ease the impact on households, electricity tariffs has been exempted up to 150 units per month by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. As for cash and in-kind-transfer, the General Administration Department has provided in-kind food transfers to vulnerable households and at-risk populations. Benefits for MCCT and social pension beneficiaries will also be topped up.

Strengthening the Healthcare system

Under the plan to strengthen the healthcare system, the government will ensure the provision of adequate facilities, staff, and equipment at quarantine centers/facilities as practically as possible. Myanmar will immediately import required medical-related products for COVID-19 prevention, control, and treatment, including but not limited to, masks, PPE, drugs, ventilators, ICU equipment, and cardiovascular support tools.

Focusing on preventive measures, the government will increase disinfection coverage areas through the use of mobile disinfection teams and also establish mobile mass testing teams. Before the end of 2020, state and region governments have to improve waste/waste-water management and drainage system cleaning.