Dhaka, June 24 -- Economic experts have raised concerns that the government's recent increase in advance tax (AT) for importers - excluding industrial sectors - could contribute to rising inflation and place further strain on consumers.
The warning came during a post-budget discussion held in Dhaka on Monday, titled "Budget Insights: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead", jointly organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Policy Research Institute (PRI).
Delivering the keynote address, PRI Chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar cautioned that the new fiscal measures, aimed at offsetting revenue losses from VAT evasion, could have unintended inflationary consequences.
In the proposed national budget for FY2025-26, the g...