10/08/2021 - International Relations | Mainstorming

IAS Parliament 3 years

KEY POINTS

· The shift to remote work and education has propelled an unprecedented spike in Internet penetration, with even smaller nations such as Nepal recording almost an 11% increase in broadband Internet users.

· In India, COVID-19 accelerated the launch of the National Digital Health Mission, enhancing the accessibility and the efficiency of health-care services by creating a unique health ID for every citizen.

· The pandemic-induced suspension of bricks-and-mortar businesses spurred South Asia’s embrace of e-commerce, boosted by digital payment systems.

· Bangladesh alone witnessed an increase of 70-80% in online sales in 2020, generating $708.46 million in revenues.

· With monetary and health assistance schemes distributed online, 51% of South Asian women were excluded from social protection measures during the pandemic.

· Children too were at the receiving end, with 88% lacking access to Internet powered home schooling.

· The region recorded a 64% decline in sales, with small and women-led firms faring the worst. With COVID-19 transforming work life, the acute skills gap among youth will continue, creating unemployment.

· In India, e-commerce could create a million jobs by 2030 and be worth $200 billion by 2026. Fintech could drive significant growth and reduce poverty by building financial inclusion.

· To reap the dividends of digital transformation, South Asia needs to address legal, regulatory and policy gaps as well as boost digital skills.