The country's business leaders on Sunday said that the government must ensure equal tariff facilities in every sector like the apparel industry on the import of fire safety equipment.
They made the call at the first meeting of the FBCCI Standing Committee on Fire Safety and Security, Disaster and Explosion held at FBCCI head office, according to a press release.
They also said that the government only allowed the apparel sector to import fire safety equipment at reduced rates.
As workers in all sectors have equal rights to safety and security, there should be no such discrimination in the tariff rate, they suggested.
The committee chairman Md Niaz Ali Chisty said that it was important for factories in all sectors to have fire protection systems to ensure safe industrialization in the country.
“But other than the garment industry, other industrialists have to bear the heavy tax burden of importing this much-needed equipment,” he added.
The total tax incidence is 58.6% in fire door, fire alarm cable and hose reel imports, 37% in gate valve, 26.2% in fire pump and fire alarm system (detector), 11.05% in fire extinguisher and 31% in ABC dry powder, he informed.
Due to high tax incidence, it is often not possible for small and medium entrepreneurs to take adequate fire protection measures, which is why equal tariff facility was required, Chisty added.
Separate permits, required for the import of carbon dioxide, foam, dry powder and other fire-resistant gasses and chemicals result in harassment and time delay for the importers.
As there is no BSTI laboratory in Chattogram, chemicals have to be sent to Dhaka for testing, which takes an additional 8-10 days.
Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, FBCCI Vice President Md Amin Helaly said that the development of Bangladesh has been largely informal.
But now it is time to ensure security to the industry, he also said.
He also recommended starting sector-based training by preparing a training manual.
At the same time, the vice-president urged the importers to take initiative to manufacture fire safety equipment locally.
Also present at the meeting were FBCCI Director Harun Or Rashid, Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, Standing Committee Co-Chairman Md. Wahid Uddin, Mohammed Shahjahan, Abul Hossain, M Mahmudur Rashid, Zakir Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsul Haque Jamil, Mohammad Awlad Husain Rajib, Mohammad Monzur Alam, Tanjir Ahmmed Tohin and other members of the committee.