Private medical college owners have requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to waive 15% tax imposed on their salaries for the sake of keeping the student fees at a tolerable level and help manage their college expenses properly.
Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) yesterday came up with the proposal at a pre-budget meeting with NBR official held at NBR headquarters in the city, where representatives from pharmaceuticals, clinics and diagnostic sectors also participated.
“Earlier, we did not to pay any taxes on our incomes, but the government had imposed 15% tax on our incomes in 2010, which needs to be removed as we are working in a service sector,” said Mohammad Enamur Rahman, vice-president of BPMCA.
“We have to deposit US$1,000 per foreign student to the national exchequer,” he added.
Putting emphasis on the implementation of Vision 2021, president of the association Moazzem Hossain said: “We will need 2lakh doctors to implement the vision, but the country now has only 61,000 registered doctors. It would facilitate the medical colleges to help meeting the target if the incentives are given to this sector.”
Attending the meeting, Bangladesh Aushad Shilpa Samity representative Abdul Malek Chowdhury demanded for VAT exemption in manufacturing of kidney dialysis solution, exemption of VAT in the raw materials of Insulin, Cancer curable medicines, vaccines and in hormone for curing the patients.
He also demanded reduction of duties in manufacturing of infusion bottle amber from existing 25% import tax and 5% regulatory duty to only 5% import tax.
Bangladesh Ayurvedic Aushad Shilpa Samity representative said: “Currently, there has been a budgetary allocation of Tk9,000 crore for the health sector whereas only Tk9 crore has been allocated for ayurvedic, homeopathic and unani sectors.
“We want an increased allocation for us in the upcoming budget, and VAT exemption to ensure further growth of this sector.”
Among others, leaders from Bangladesh Homeopathic Medicine Manufacturers’ Association and Bangladesh Unani Aushad Shilpa Samity addressed the meeting.
