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Titled "Nine Months of COVID-19: The Impact on South Asia", the report released by the Hudson Institute think - tank on Friday, is so-authored by Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan ambassador to the US, and Apama Pande and is an update to their 30-pages report "Crisis from Kolkata to Kabul: COVID-19's Impact on South Asia" Published in May 2020.

"The economic consequences of COVID-19 on South Asia are proving to be even greater than the healthcare challenges in the region. Different South Asian countries have dealt with the pandemic in various ways, but the economic costs overall seem to be higher than the healthcare consequences", said Haqqani.

All these countries have poor healthcare infrastructure and are home to large number of people living below the poverty line, setting the foundation for uphill battles when tackling health crises, he said.

"In order to ensure a safe return to normal life and a resumption of economic activity, South Asian governments would benefit from focusing more on the development of human capital, Haqqani said."

Source: National Herald, November 21, 2020

The economic consequences of Covid-19 on South Asia are proving to be even ............. than health care challenges in the region.

A) smaller

B) equal

C) greater

D) None of these