The prices for imported laptops and computers could increase in the next 2023-2024 fiscal year, and the 15% imposed vat was not exempted.
Experts said that the 20% duty hike and 15% VAT on imports of operating systems and database software will further increase the prices of computers and laptops.
In the outgoing budget, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal proposed to impose a 15% VAT on imported laptops.
The finance minister said: “Laptop computer imports are subject to VAT exemption. As a result, domestic computer manufacturers are facing uneven competition. So, I am proposing to impose 15% VAT on laptop computer imports.”
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday unveiled a Tk7,61,785 crore proposed national budget for the 2023–24 fiscal year in the national parliament.
He started reading out the budget at parliament on Thursday.
The proposed budget will be 15.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).