Mohammed Amirul Haque, president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), stated that the imposition of additional taxes on trucks and covered vans in the current fiscal year will increase business costs, which will directly impact commodity prices. He remarked that while the government is striving to reduce inflation and the cost of doing business, imposing additional taxes in this sector will hinder the achievement of those goals. He made these remarks during an exchange meeting held at the Chamber’s office in Agrabad, Chittagong, on Sunday.

The CCCI president noted that inter-district goods transport agencies play a vital role in the country’s import-export trade. These organisations also contribute to the nation’s business, employment and revenue growth. He assured that as a member institution of the Chamber, the CCCI will continue to work toward resolving any legitimate issues faced by this transport organisation.

Leaders of the Inter-District Goods Transport Truck-Covered Van Owners’ Association stated that, in addition to transporting import-export goods, this sector also handles baby food, pharmaceutical raw materials and government relief during emergency disaster situations. They pointed out that while Advance Income Tax (AIT) for trucks and covered vans was previously determined through the issuance of SROs until 2019, for the past few fiscal years, it has been set arbitrarily through executive orders from the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

They further explained that for the current fiscal year, the AIT has been increased: from BDT 24,000 to 35,000 for drum trucks, open trucks and 12-wheeler vehicles; from BDT 16,000 to 30,000 for trucks/covered vans over 5 tons; from BDT 9,500 to 15,000 for trucks/covered vans and lorries over 1.5 tons; and from BDT 4,000 to 7,500 for trucks/covered vans and lorries not exceeding 1.5 tons. The association leaders have called upon the government to cancel these “unreasonable” tax rates and fix the income tax for all vehicles at BDT 10,000, as well as to reduce the tax token fee by 50 percent.