COVID-19 policy actions and inflation targeting in South Asia

Syed Aun R Rizvi; Kasun Pathirage

doi:10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101576

COVID-19 policy actions and inflation targeting in South Asia

J Asian Econ. 2023 Feb:84:101576. doi: 10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101576. Epub 2022 Dec 17.

Authors

Syed Aun R Rizvi¹, Kasun Pathirage²

Affiliations

¹ Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
² Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the impact of policy actions undertaken by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic on Consumer Price Index (CPI) in five major South Asian nations, namely, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Using panel fixed effects regression with robust standard errors, we show the relative importance of monetary and financial interventions on reducing CPI while fiscal interventions, direct grants and aid are insignificant. Further, delving into nature of policy interventions, our study finds evidence of negative impact of Credit Support, and Healthcare Support on CPI in South Asian nations. While our investigation is preliminary, it provides insights into additional understanding of effectiveness of policy actions on inflation targeting.

Keywords: Fiscal policy; Inflation; Monetary policy; Stimulus.