Moin Mahmood: The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has demanded rationalization of the duty and tax structure for motor vehicle imports in the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The organization said that reducing duty on hybrid and electric vehicles will increase the use of environment-friendly vehicles, reduce fuel costs, and bring the price of vehicles within the reach of the middle class. As a result, the market will expand, as well as increase the government`s revenue. Barvida President Abdul Haque raised these issues while talking about various proposals for the 2026-27 fiscal year budget at a press conference organized in the capital on Saturday (May 2). He said, “It is important to reduce the existing duty on fuel-efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. In addition, it is proposed to withdraw the supplementary duty on microbuses used as public transport.” The Barbida president also proposed a reduction in tax on reconditioned electric (EV) vehicles imported from Japan. Abdul Haque said, “If tax exemption is given on the import of reconditioned electric (EV) vehicles in line with the government’s incentives for the electric vehicle industry, the use of environmentally friendly vehicles will increase. This will reduce fuel costs as well as reduce pressure on foreign exchange. If the proposed benefits are implemented, the price of vehicles will come within the reach of the middle class.” He said, “In the current challenging economic situation of the country, increasing revenue is very important. The desired revenue collection is necessary to increase investment and employment and alleviate poverty. In this context, a reasonable tariff structure in the motor vehicle sector will be helpful in accelerating economic activities.” BARVIDA President Abdul Haque also said that if the proposal given by BARVIDA in the next budget is implemented, a quality, safe and smart transport system will be developed in the country. BARVIDA leader Habibur Rahman Khan said, “Currently, about 90 percent of traders are being brought under VAT audit. In the audit, 5-10 percent of traders are being audited on a random basis. But about 90 percent of traders in Chittagong have been brought under this audit. Accounts for the last seven years are being asked from everyone. One trader has been asked to pay a fine of Tk 4 crore. Will that trader continue to do business? He is thinking of fleeing Bangladesh.’ Vice-presidents Saiful Islam and Farid Ahmed, joint general secretary Syed Jaglul Hossain, treasurer Md. Saiful Alam and others were also present at the time.