Bangladesh Computer Samity has appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to withdraw the proposed 15% VAT on laptops, printers and toner cartridges.
In a post-budget reaction statement issued on Tuesday, the organization recalled her pioneering development of information technology at the grassroots level through the repeal of all VAT and taxes on computers in 1998.
Compared to the price of a computer abroad, there is an additional cost in purchasing all the components of the same computer individually.
That is why 99% of the laptops in Bangladesh are imported in assembled conditions.
However, up to 14% discount has already been given for locally assembled and manufactured laptops.
It is regrettable that in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-23, it has been proposed to levy an additional 15% VAT on imports of laptops, printers and toner cartridges.
Prices have already risen by 30% due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as rising shipping costs, the release further said.
The recent rise in the value of the dollar has led to an additional 10% increase in the price of computers in Bangladesh.
"In addition, we fear that the imposition of 15% additional VAT will result in a total increase of 55%. As a result, the minimum cost of a laptop computer will be out of reach of middle and lower middle class students, small and medium businesses and freelancers," the release added.
Once out of reach, the computer was made easily accessible for all as computers were made tax-free that year. As a result, computers have become a daily necessity in all fields including education, health, communication, business, office work, the release also said.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, all the urgent activities of the whole of Bangladesh such as services of government and non-government organizations including healthcare, management of official activities, online classes of the school, all the activities to keep the life of the people active were carried out using computers.
