Lao PDR Economic Monitor, June 2020 : Lao PDR in the Time of COVID-19
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has so far avoided a major health crisis but has not been immune from the global economic downturn. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) induced economic downturn has affected Lao PDR through multiple channels including...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Vientiane
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/188941592987526646/Lao-PDR-Economic-Monitor-Lao-PDR-in-the-Time-of-COVID-19-Thematic-Section-Building-a-Resilient-Health-System http://hdl.handle.net/10986/34048 |
| Summary: | Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
has so far avoided a major health crisis but has not been
immune from the global economic downturn. The COVID-19
(Coronavirus) induced economic downturn has affected Lao PDR
through multiple channels including tourism, trade,
investment, commodity prices, exchange rates, and lower
remittances. This report presents a range of growth
estimates for 2020 under two scenarios. These scenarios
reflect different assumptions regarding: (i) the duration
and depth of outbreaks and lockdown in Lao PDR, (ii) the
magnitude and effectiveness of economic relief policies, and
(iii) the depth and duration of the global downturn. The
COVID-19 shock has further aggravated the long-standing
structural vulnerabilities in the economy. The country has a
legacy of weak macroeconomic management, resulting in
limited fiscal and foreign currency buffers even before the
global pandemic. Limited fiscal space and the mounting
pressure of deficit financing and debt servicing will limit
the ability of the Government of Lao PDR (GoL) to stimulate
the economy, exacerbating the downturn. |
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