Md Joynal Abedin Khan
The government has proposed to reduce tariffs on microbus imports to discourage the use of locally-made and accident-prone human haulers (nasimon, karimon and laguna) and inspire the use of microbus as alternative public transport.
The government also proposed to revise the tariffs on imports of hybrid vehicles to encourage the use of environment-friendly modes of transport in the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Thursday mooted the proposal in parliament while delivering his budget speech for the fiscal year 2021-22.
“For the development of motorcycle manufacturing or assembling industry, I propose to bring necessary adjustments and also to include some raw materials in the existing statutory regulatory order,” the minister said.
“Moped (a light motorcycle — not more than 50 cc — with pedals that can be used when starting it or travelling up a hill) is a fuel-efficient motorcycle plays an important role in the economic activities of small traders and the public. In order to ensure affordable price, I propose to reduce the tariff rate of moped,” he added.
“To protect the dumper or tipper (truck) assembling industry, I propose to reduce the tariff on import of dumper or tipper truck in CKD (completely knocked down) condition,” he further said.
AHM Mustafa Kamal placed the national budget worth Tk 603,681 crore in parliament.
