DHAKA, Nov 05, v7n- The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has removed excise duty on airfare for hajj pilgrims and waived value-added tax (VAT) on three types of service charges to make hajj expenses more affordable. This measure, announced in a press release on Monday, is aimed at reducing costs for pilgrims facing increased expenses due to rising airfares and other costs associated with the pilgrimage.
 
The interim government had earlier introduced two reduced-cost hajj packages for next year. The Standard Hajj Package-1 is set at Tk 4,78,242, while Standard Hajj Package-2 is priced at Tk 5,75,680. Compared to the previous year, these packages allow pilgrims to save Tk 109,148 and Tk 11,710, respectively, and both packages include transportation and quality accommodation options. In the private sector, the hajj package is priced at Tk 4,83,156, offering an alternative for those seeking a more economical option.