The rapid spread of COVID-19 presents significant challenges around the world. In addition to the human impact, there is a considerable commercial effect being felt. Governments have adopted a wide range of containment measures, some of which have resulted in the shutdown of manufacturing, as well as labor disruption through enforced isolation, travel bans and border controls across the world. There is potential for a significant dent to global consumption and more.
The impact can be more severe and immediate for corporates in the B2C space and small and medium enterprises who may already be dealing with liquidity management. Overall decline in economic activity is evident from the drop in global demand for oil, which has seen its sharpest fall since 2008. Hence, there is little immunity for even large corporates. (Read more).