Dhaka, June 1 -- The government is considering withdrawal of supplementary duty (SD) on meat imports in the upcoming national budget in a bid to prevent cattle smuggling from neighbouring India and help stabilise meat prices in the domestic market.

Besides, a reduction in the existing tariff value on meat imports is also under consideration, according to official sources.

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has submitted a proposal to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to this effect, they said.

In the current fiscal year's budget, the government imposed a 25 per cent import duty and a 20 per cent supplementary duty on imported meat.

Following imposition of the SD and introduction of a restrictive condition in the country's import policy,...