In the year of the general election, Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday proposed keeping car prices down to please the rich and middle-income groups.
He also proposed cut in prices of bread and some other foods to keep the low-income people happy as well.
The government is imposing and increasing supplementary duties on a range of products including energy drinks, cosmetics and toiletries.
Online shopping is going to get pricier with a 5 percent VAT being imposed.
These goods may soon get cheaper:
>> Hybrid cars of up to 1800cc: Import duty has been proposed to be cut down to 20 percent from 45 percent.
>> School bus: Special duty facilities proposed.
>> Two-cabin pick-up truck: A duty reduction by 15 percent to 10 percent from 25 percent has been proposed
>> Loaf, bread, buns, handmade biscuits and handmade cakes: VAT exemption is proposed on these items which are priced below Tk 100 per kilogram and cake, except party cake, which are priced below Tk 150 per kg.
>> Sandals and slippers made of rubber and plastic: VAT exemption proposed for items priced up to Tk 150.
>> Locally made motorcycles: VAT exemption for manufacturers proposed.
>> Some software which are not developed in Bangladesh, i.e. database software, and productivity software in any form: 5 percent duty cut proposed.
>> Locally made mobile phone sets: VAT, surcharge exemption proposed.
>> Carbon rod: Cut in duty from 25 percent to 15 percent.
>> Medicine: Exemptions and concessionary rate of duties of some pharmaceutical raw materials are proposed.
>> Locally printed papers: Cut in duty on import of raw materials proposed.
>> Ballpoint pen: Duty exemption for ink for VAT-registered ballpoint pen manufacturing industries proposed.
These goods may get pricier:
>> Energy drink: Rise in supplementary duty from 25 percent to 35 percent proposed.
>> Cosmetics: 10 percent supplementary duty proposed.
>> Honey, coconuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds: Increase in import duty from 10 percent to 25 percent proposed.
>> Coffee, green tea: 20 percent supplementary duty proposed.
>> Sugar confectionary, chocolate, chewing gum, cocoa food, cereals, and oats: Rise in import duty up to 25 percent proposed.
>> Toiletries, perfumes (except attar), body sprays and similar items (except aromatic vapour): Increase in supplementary duty from 10 percent to 15 percent proposed.
>> Bathtubs, whirlpool bathtubs and hot tubs (Jacuzzi), and shower trays: Rise in import duty to 30 percent from 20 percent proposed.
>> Cigarette: Duty on cigarette paper is proposed to increase to 25 percent from 20 percent.
>> Polythene and plastic bags: 5 percent duty proposed.
>> Foreign mobile phone sets: 2 percent surcharge proposed.
>> Mobile and other battery charger, UPS/IPS, voltage stabiliser: Duty increase to 15 percent proposed.
>> Ride-hailing services like Uber, Pathao: 5 percent VAT proposed.
>> Helicopter ride: 20 percent supplementary duty proposed.