Dhaka, Jan. 22 -- Government's finance authority has reconsidered the latest hikes in value-added tax (VAT) and supplementary duty (SD) on eight out of 100 types of products and services following widespread criticism.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) had increased VAT and SD on 100 items, but now made the revision in view of "adverse impact" on those key sectors, officials said.

Of the eight items, medicine, mobile talk time, Internet services, restaurants, non-AC hotel, motor garage and workshop, sweetmeat shop, brand and non-brand readymade garments will enjoy the previous rates.

The move came within two weeks of the issuance of an ordinance on VAT increases that sparked widespread criticism over such abrupt midyear hike in the s...