Dhaka, May 13 -- The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is preparing to impose a 2 per cent Advance Income Tax (AIT) at the import stage on nearly 200 previously exempted items-a move that could disrupt supply chains, raise consumer prices, and place additional pressure on key industries.

Part of a broader effort to phase out tax exemptions and enhance revenuecollection, the proposed measure is expected to generate approximately Tk 2,000 crore in additional revenue. However, the announcement has triggered serious concerns among business leaders and consumer rights advocates.

Items under consideration include essential food staples such as potatoes, onions, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, and maize, alongside fertilisers, crude oil, sugar, an...