Nasrin, however, says vat (Value Added Tax) at super shops is really an extra burden for middle income group people. Once the situation improves, she says that she may not regularly opt for super shops to avoid vat, she adds. “They are mostly conscious people who are spooked with the corona-related situation and preferred super shops over kitchen markets,” a sales officer at Nandan, another super shop at Dhanmondi, said. Bangladesh Super Market Owners Association Finance Director Quazi Ruhul Amin has told Dhaka Tribune that super shops do not compromise with safety and social distancing issues. He says only 5 % of the total vat revenue of the government comes from trade vat, including from super shops.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 10, 2020 12:56 UTC