Bangladesh minister impels for liquor tax cut to boost tourism

Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain has urged Finance Minister AMA Muhith to lower taxes on liquor to attract more foreign tourists.

He made the call in parliament on Monday along with a proposal to cut the apartment registration fees while discussing the budget proposed by Muhith for 2018-19 fiscal year.

“The proposed tax on hard liquor at the starred hotels is excessive. Foreigners don’t like the rates of tax and the price they have to pay,” he said.

He also demanded legalisation of unregistered bars, reports bdnews24.

According to the housing minister, the number of government-approved bars in Bangladesh is 96.

“But the restaurants at Gulshan and Banani can serve you drinks of any brand if you want some. They don’t pay taxes. There are 1,000 other unapproved bars. Legalise these in exchange for fixed fees,” Mosharraf said.

The minister said the people were paying up to 16 per cent tax for registering flats. He proposed cutting the rate to 7 per cent.

He also said the government was making a new law to stop people building houses on arable land.