We will be able to return to normalcy in mid-2021

The pandemic has hit all business sectors. Everything remained closed for long but even though businesses have reopened, people are not buying much, except for essentials. As a result, we also had to limit production throughout the year.

We always live with hope. We believe we will get Covid-19 vaccines in 2021. As a result, I hope the year will be good.

However, the second wave of the pandemic is going on. Everyone thinks the pandemic will become intense by the end of January, but no one can say when it will finally end.

Even if a vaccine is developed, we are not sure when it will be available for us. If we get it after citizens of developed countries are vaccinated, it will take a long time for us to recover from the current damage.

Ordinary people need to limit their expenditures further as their earnings had dropped due to the pandemic. We do not know yet what our situation will be if consumer spending decreases.

People have not yet started going to restaurants. They are not travelling either and have put a cap on expenditures. Although there has been some recovery in the top segment because of the wealthy class, it will take at least one more year for mid-range sales to return to normalcy.

As a result, the 2021 plan cannot be made now. I can only expect that things will be good.

Rupali Chowdhury, managing director of Berger Bangladesh.