Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a directive on Monday, instructing relevant authorities to decrease the import duty on sugar and three other essential commodities – rice, edible oil, and dates – in anticipation of the upcoming Ramadan season.
The directive was conveyed during a Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the city.
Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, while addressing reporters at the Secretariat, stated, “The prime minister has unequivocally instructed to reduce the duty on sugar and three other items – edible oil, rice, and dates — in light of the imminent Ramadan.” He further informed that the National Board of Revenue (NBR) would evaluate the extent to which the duty could be reduced.
In addition to the duty reduction, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all relevant authorities to collaborate and closely monitor the market to ensure a balanced supply of goods in response to market demands, emphasizing the prevention of any shortages.
Responding to inquiries, the Cabinet secretary assured that importers currently face no challenges in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) for the importation of essential goods.
