IMF Staff Country Reports

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to hit hard Myanmar’s economy via weaker exports, tourism, remittances and domestic demand. The economic and social costs of a widespread outbreak could be large, against the backdrop of a frail healthcare system and inadequate social safety nets, as well as already low international reserves and a fragile banking system. The measures to contain and alleviate the effects of the pandemic open up sizeable BOP and fiscal financing gaps in the near term.