Virtual Event – Enduring the Pandemic: Survey on the Impact of Covid-19 in Cambodia

Join The Asia Foundation to discuss its new report, Enduring the Pandemic: Rapid Survey on the Impact of Covid-19 on MSMEs in Tourism Sector and Households in Cambodia. To address the need for accurate data on how Covid-19 is disrupting micro and small enterprises, vulnerable workers, the informal economy, and heavily affected sectors, The Asia Foundation and its partners conducted a series of national surveys and case studies in six Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

The Covid-19 pandemic is leading to a dramatic rollback of economic progress across Southeast Asia. While the region has managed to contain the spread of the virus better than most others, the economic impact on the region has been devastating. Southeast Asia is highly integrated into the global economy, both with regard to trade and international travel. Since international travel stopped almost entirely in March, the tourism and business travel sectors have experienced unprecedented contraction. Many small businesses have closed permanently as they cannot survive the economic losses brought on by Covid-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions. With each passing month, tens of millions more workers become at risk of sliding into poverty, including many in the middle class. As the pandemic drags on, temporary job losses have become permanent, and household incomes have plummeted.

Featuring
Meloney Lindberg, Country Representative, Cambodia, The Asia Foundation
Chan Sophal, Director, Centre for Policy Studies
Ou Virak, Founder and President, Future Forum

Moderator
John Brandon, Senior Director, International Relations Programs, The Asia Foundation