Economy
Price Surge on Select Products Following Budget Changes
Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali presented the national budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to Tk 797,000 crore, in the Jatiya Sangsad today. The presentation took place under the chairmanship of Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This marks the 53rd budget of independent Bangladesh, the first for the current government’s fourth consecutive term, the 16th continuous budget, and the 21st under the Awami League-led administration. Notably, this is the inaugural budget presented by Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali.
The proposed budget includes increased taxes and duties on various products, leading to higher prices for items such as cigarettes, water filters, cashews, refrigerators, air conditioners, ice cream, beverages, bricks, LED bulbs, tobacco products, unrefined edible oil, tube lubricating gel, synthetic corundum, aluminum oxide, fluorescent lamp parts, glass, plastic, medical equipment, capital machinery, construction materials, SIM cards, auctioneers, security services, and lottery tickets. Consequently, household expenses and travel costs are expected to rise.
Increased Costs Due to Tax Changes:
- Cigarettes: The budget proposes increasing the supplementary duty on all types of cigarettes, with a suggested 65.5% supplementary duty on three tiers of cigarettes, raising their prices. The maximum retail price for 10 grams of jorda is set at Tk 48, and for guli, Tk 25.
- Water Filters: Import duty on water filters, now produced domestically, is raised from 10% to 15%.
- LED Bulbs: Import duties on LED and energy-saving bulb components are increased by 10%, likely raising their prices.
- Cashews: Import duty on shelled cashews is raised from 5% to 10% to protect domestic cultivation.
- Refrigerators and Air Conditioners: VAT and duties on components used in the production of refrigerators and air conditioners are increased, leading to higher prices.
- Construction Costs: Import duties on LRPC wire are increased, impacting construction expenses.
- Vehicle Conversion Kits: Import duties on CNG-LPG conversion kits and related components are raised from 3% to 5%, increasing conversion costs.
- Generators: A 1% import duty is introduced on components used in assembling and producing generators, affecting prices.
- Imported Mackerel: VAT and advance income tax on imported mackerel are set at 15% and 5%, respectively, increasing their cost.
- Industrial Raw Materials: A 1% import duty is imposed on 33 types of raw materials used in industries, such as unrefined edible oil, aluminum ingots, and components for
- LED bulbs and fluorescent lamps.
- Economic Zones: Concessions on capital machinery and construction materials for industrial establishments in economic zones and high-tech parks are withdrawn, introducing a 1% import duty.
Sectoral and Service Tax Changes:
- Tour Operators: The existing VAT exemption for tour operator services is withdrawn.
- Entertainment: VAT for amusement parks and theme parks is increased from 7.5% to 15%, affecting leisure costs.
- Auction Houses and Security Services: VAT is raised from 10% to 15% on auction houses, security services, and lottery tickets.
- Bricks: Specific taxes on bricks are proposed to increase from 10% to 20%, impacting construction costs.
- Ice Cream and Beverages: VAT increases on ice cream and carbonated beverages are proposed, raising their prices.
- SIM Cards: Supplementary duty on mobile phone SIM usage is raised from 5% to 20%, increasing the cost of mobile communication and internet usage. VAT on e-SIM provision is increased from Tk 200 to Tk 300.
The proposed budget’s theme is “Commitment to Building a Happy, Prosperous, Developed, and Smart Bangladesh.” The overall budget size is set at Tk 797,000 crore, a 4.60% increase from the current budget of Tk 761,785 crore. The Annual Development Programme (ADP) is fixed at Tk 265,000 crore, up from Tk 263,000 crore in the previous fiscal year. The total deficit is projected at Tk 256,000 crore, down from Tk 283,785 crore in the revised budget for the current fiscal year.
Revenue targets are set at Tk 545,400 crore, compared to Tk 500,000 crore in the previous year. GDP growth is targeted at 6.75%, with inflation expected to be 6.5%.
To cover the budget deficit, loans of approximately Tk 300,000 crore are anticipated from domestic and foreign sources. The budget also includes allocations to prepare the youth for a “Smart Bangladesh” and measures to enhance social safety programs to mitigate inflation’s impact. Climate change’s effects on the economy are also analyzed in this budget, and efforts to broaden the tax base will include introducing taxes in new areas.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.
Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor’s book.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, along with four other election commissioners, announced their resignation during a press conference today at the Election Commission (EC) building. The resignation follows growing speculation and pressure.
CEC Awal stated, “In this changed situation, I and other commissioners have decided to step down. We’re handing over our resignation letters to the EC Secretary to send it to the President.” After submitting the letters, the CEC and some commissioners quickly left the premises, with no clear explanation for the absence of two election commissioners.
The resignations come amid increasing unrest tied to the registration of political parties such as Nagarik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sources revealed the CEC felt unsafe due to aggressive behavior from activists, prompting the decision to step down.
Protesters outside the EC building hurled shoes at vehicles carrying Election Commissioners Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman as they left. Meanwhile, preparations for their exit had already been underway, with the commissioners reportedly relocating personal belongings from their offices.
The commission, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, had previously expressed confusion over demands for their resignation, maintaining they had conducted fair elections. However, internal discussions led to the collective decision to resign earlier than expected.
The government will now purchase LNG from the international spot market through open tender instead of negotiation.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a meeting on Wednesday in principle approved a proposal in this regard.
Adviser of the interim government for Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said that the government will procure LNG through open tender.
The Energy and Mineral Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the proposal where it sought approval to import LNG from 23 listed companies in the international spot market.
The adviser said that though such 23 companies were enlisted by the previous Awami League government and signed Master Sales and Purchase Agreement, they will remain unchanged.
He said that instead of applying the Speedy Increase of Energy and Power Supply (Special) Act 2010, the interim government will follow the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure the competitive bidding process.
“We don’t want to change them as we wanted to import LNG quickly, ensuring proper competition among the suppliers,” he told reporters.
Committee also approved another proposal in principle to sign a contract to import urea fertiliser for the 2024-25 fiscal year from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, on a G-to-G basis.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) in a meeting, presided over by the Adviser for Finance, approved 3 proposals for import of lentil and fertiliser.
As per the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will procure 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lentil from local firm Sahara Enterprise at a cost of Tk 98.20 crore with each kg priced at Tk 98.20.
The Commerce Ministry which moved the proposal on behalf of the TCB in the meeting mentioned in the proposal that the supplier firm was selected through open tender.
The CCGP approved two separate proposals of the Industries Ministry under which Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, under state to state contract at a cost of Tk 121.48 crore.
Each metric ton of fertiliser will cost $343.17.
Another 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea fertiliser will be procured from the local Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 116.99 crore with each metric ton costing $330.50.
