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Entrepreneurs have urged the government to withdraw the proposed 15 percent additional tax on imported laptop computer and printer as most traders depend on foreign brands.
Leaders of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) and management committee of BCS Computer City in Agargaon jointly made the call from a meeting on Thursday.
Addressing the function, BCS President Subrata Sarkar said the laptop computer is not a aristocratic product now but a valuable factor to the middle-class families in our country.
“When Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tells about Smart Bangladesh programme, such taxation may hamper the growth of tech-enabled future,” he said.
Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal proposed 15 percent value added tax hike on imported laptop computer leading the total VAT 31 percent on the portable computer.
The trade body chief claimed the businesses want to reach ‘affordable quality products’ to the people, however, such policy hampers the steps.
“Many companies have been tried to local assembling of computer. However, the initiative foils in terms of quality assurance and post sale warranty service,” he said.
VAT waivers on imports of computer printers and printer cartridges have also been removed, meaning that prices will go up as the 15 percent tax is imposed.
Subrata feared about a negative trend in user experiences if the 15 percent tax will impose on imported computer printer.
BCS Vice President Rashed Ali Bhuiyan, General Secretary Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan, Smart Technologies Managing Director Zahirul Islam, IDB computer market committee former president Ahmed Hasan Juwel, President Mazhar Imam Chowdhury, General Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Star Tech Managing Director Jahed Ali Bhuiyan, Advisor Mahmudur Rahman and Global Brand Managing Director Rafiqul Anwar were present on the occasion.
Toggi Services, a tech venture of Bashundhara Group, has been trading leading international computers brands in Bangladesh since 2018.
(DS)
