Dhaka, Mar 18 (V7N) – The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced a 15 percent reduction in import duties and taxes on fresh fruits to help maintain affordable prices during the month of Ramadan. This move comes as part of ongoing efforts by the government to make essential goods more accessible to the general public during the fasting month.

The reduction, outlined in a notification issued by the NBR on March 18, includes a decrease in the supplementary duty on fruit imports from 30 percent to 25 percent and a complete exemption from the 5 percent advance tax at the import stage. Additionally, another notification from March 10 revealed a reduction in the advance income tax rate on fruit imports from 10 percent to 5 percent.

These combined efforts aim to reduce the overall duties and taxes on fruit imports by 15 percent, effectively lowering the cost of fresh fruits for consumers.

The NBR also highlighted the government's broader efforts to keep essential goods affordable during Ramadan. In recent months, the interim government has implemented a series of tax exemptions on items such as edible oils, sugar, potatoes, eggs, onions, rice, dates, and pesticides. These steps have helped stabilize prices and ensure that goods remain within reach of the public.

Further, the government has provided complete VAT exemptions on the metro rail service, widely used by the public, to make it more accessible. In line with the focus on education, VAT exemptions have also been introduced on e-book services to support the improvement of the education system and enhance access for students.

The NBR also mentioned the excise duty exemption on Hajj tickets to reduce the financial burden on Hajj pilgrims, underscoring the government's commitment to supporting the public in various sectors.

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