Finance Minister AMA Muhith met with FBCCI members and NBR officials at the 38th NBR-FBCCI National Consultative Committee meeting on Sunday. No small business owners were trained. Incensed by Motaleb’s reference to the nationwide student protest against VAT on education, Muhith responded saying the government would retaliate swiftly against any protests. Attempting to calm the business owners, FBCCI Vice President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said: “We have to be patient and hope that the government will accept our demands. The new Value Added Tax Act 2012, proposed in 2012, stipulates a 15% VAT on almost all products, effective from July 1, 2017. Business owners have bitterly responded to the law, claiming it is unfair.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 30, 2017 11:57 UTC