29pc businessmen paid bribes for pandemic funds: Survey

In availing funds from the government stimulus package offered to combat the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, about 29 percent business people bribed, a survey report says.

South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) revealed the findings in fifth edition of its study titled “Covid-19 and Business Confidence in Bangladesh” on Saturday.

As per the findings of the survey, 29 per cent business people claimed that they had to pay bribes in getting loans from the government stimulus packages.

In the previous round of survey, 7 percent respondents made such claim.

The report findings also showed that the business confidence in July-September 2021 has improved over the business confidence in April-June 2021.

The government must focus on improving the overall business environment to lower indirect cost of business operation, it suggested.