Pandemic-Led Disruptions in Asia: Tracing the Early Economic Impacts on Sri Lanka and Thailand

Abstract

This study focuses on tracing the early economic impacts of COVID-19. The pandemic has unleashed a global shock impacting all economies in several ways. The lockdowns have brought economic activity to a standstill, with the closure of businesses and halting of travel, trade and commerce. Even as the impact on sensitive sectors as trade, tourism and remittances are already becoming visible, it is imperative to understand how these are impacting economies in Asia. This article studies these impacts on Thailand and Sri Lanka, both of which being wired to the globalised world, are witnessing adverse impacts on earnings through exports and tourism as well as a huge decline in inward remittances. Even as countries beef up their health infrastructure, they also seek to restart international travel and trade. Hence, the role of the state is critical to pull the economies out of the de-globalisation trends that are expected to gain pace in and beyond 2020.