In the proposed national budget for FY2025–26, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has suggested reducing tariffs and taxes on a number of consumer products.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presented the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, amounting to Tk7,89,999 crore, in a televised speech on Monday.
As per custom, proposed tariffs and tax changes in the budget take immediate effect. Therefore, any reduction could lead to price drops. While tax hikes typically impact the market quickly, the effect of reductions usually takes longer to be reflected.
Products that may see a price reduction:
1. Sugar
The import duty on refined sugar has been reduced by Tk500 per ton, bringing it down to Tk4,000. This may create scope for a reduction in sugar prices.
2. Sanitary Napkins
Locally sold sanitary napkins have been exempted from value-added tax (VAT) at the business level.
3. Liquid Milk
Locally packaged liquid milk has also been exempted from VAT at the domestic level.
4. Pens
Ballpoint pens, even if prices drop, will now be exempt from VAT at the local stage.
5. Imported Fish and Meat
Supplementary duties on imported fish and meat have been reduced. This includes varieties like salmon and tuna, potentially lowering prices.
6. Ice Cream
After several years of increases, the supplementary duty on ice cream has now been reduced from 10% to 5%, which may lead to a drop in prices.
7. Computer monitors
VAT exemptions now apply to monitors up to 30 inches in size, up from the previous 22 inches, at both the production and business levels. Interactive monitors have also been added to this list. As a result, larger-sized monitors may become slightly more affordable.
8. Butter
The 3% regulatory duty on imported butter has been withdrawn. This may lead to a marginal reduction in the price of imported butter.
9. Imported plastic utensils
The supplementary duty on imported plastic kitchenware has been reduced by 5%.
10. Imported clothing
Supplementary duties on imported clothing for men, women, and children have been slightly reduced, which may result in lower prices.
11. Imported footwear
Supplementary duties on imported shoes and sandals have been slightly reduced, potentially lowering their prices.
