Economists measure policy options and their consequences in terms of monetary costs or GDP. But the dilemma policymakers have faced since the outset of the pandemic is fundamentally a moral one, rooted not least in the question of when individual preferences should prevail over collective interests

The supply disruptions plaguing the US economy are not the result of “excessive demand”, “central planning” or a lack of efficiency. Rather, it is that a logistics ecosystem that was developed to feed the beast of American consumption was not designed for a pandemic

Although everyone hopes that Pandexit, or the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, will come soon, the economic benefits will not be unalloyed. One plausible downside scenario is that current price pressures intensify and inflation rises further, eventually requiring a monetary response

The outlook for the global economy has gone from hopeful to bleak in the space of just a few months, owing to the rise of the Delta variant, climate-driven disasters, and previously underappreciated supply-chain disruptions. In fact, it is now hard not to conclude that future growth and development are in peril

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered tax and fee exemptions and reductions to support the people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since May, the Southeast Asian country has been struggling to curb fresh outbreaks of the fast-spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Over 40% of allocation for emerging markets, developing and pandemic-hit countries

The most recent World Bank outlook for emerging markets and developing economies is especially significant because of the cautionary messages it contains. Whereas rich countries appear set to return to or even exceed their pre-pandemic growth rates, the developing world's prospects are more mixed

In one year, the pandemic has halted a quarter-century of steady economic growth in Africa, disrupted value chains, and caused an unprecedented increase in inequality and poverty. As a result, the entire world is at risk, because the global economy could lose one of its future drivers of growth.

Europe’s policy response to the Covid-19 economic crisis has increased budget deficits and public debt but so far cushioned the potential blow to sovereign ratings. The post-pandemic ratings trajectory will depend on governments’ ability to deliver sufficient economic growth to restore fiscal balances

Intellectual property must serve the global good, rather than humanity serving the interests of a few private companies. And in the case of Covid-19, the global good is not in doubt: rapid worldwide immunization, in order to save lives, prevent the emergence of new variants, and end the pandemic.

The Asian Development Bank approves a US$400 million loan to help the Philippines purchase safe and effective vaccines against Covid-19. The Philippines will get an additional US$300 million loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Together, the loans will fund the procurement of up to 110 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for as many as 50 million Filipinos.

Beyond causing massive disruptions to the way we live, Covid-19 has presented in stark terms the reality of our mortality. For a number of wealthy Asian families, it has brought to fore the matter of business succession, wealth transfer and inheritance. An unprecedented amount of wealth in the region is set to be transferred to the next generation over the coming years. And the health crisis has lent urgency to these questions.

Economic rebound will be based on GBA opportunities, vaccine measures

The idea that the European Union can save itself and emerge from the Covid-19 crisis while the rest of the world flounders will quickly be proved wrong. Even for wealthy regions like Europe, any plausible vision of a sustainable post-pandemic future necessarily requires international solidarity

Investors and analysts seem confident that East Asian countries will be able to keep Covid-19 in check, achieve robust economic recovery, and maintain stimulus measures, leading to ever-higher corporate profits and, in turn, stock prices. Perhaps they should take a cold shower