Dhaka, Feb. 9 -- Small and medium entrepreneurs in old part of Dhaka have called on the government to introduce a package VAT for essential commodities to help contain inflation.

They made the appeal at a views-exchange meeting organised by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at a community centre in the capital on Saturday.

The business community identified a range of ongoing challenges, including severe traffic congestion, waterlogging, poor infrastructure, and limited access to financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

They also voiced concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation, rising dollar prices against the taka, delays in import and export procedures, high interest rates on loans, increased VAT ...