Dhaka, March 4 -- A blanket waiver of value-added tax (VAT) is given in government bid to make pricey essentials affordable as Ramadan business binge further heats up the market.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) waived VAT, partially, on a slew of essential commodities like overpriced edible oils, flour, Ata and lentils to keep the market stable during the holy month of Ramadan.

On the waiver list are also biscuits, salt, and various pricey spices.

This exemption applies at the production level for some products and at the business level for others.

On Monday, the NBR issued a Statutory Regulatory Order waiving the all-encompassing tax-VAT-that any consumer, be they rich or poor, of products and services have to pay.

According to ...