Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bangladesh's Steel Manufacturers Looking For Cuts In Import Duties

Bangladeshi steel manufacturers are looking to the government to cut import duties on raw materials in its forthcoming budget.

At a pre-budget meeting between National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid and representatives of the construction sector the secretary-general of the Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association (BSMOA), Mr M Bashirullah, called for duty cuts on the import of melting scraps, sponge iron, ferro-manganese, ferro-silicon, ferro-silica manganese, quartz powder, graphite powder, graphite electrode and manganese ore as well as enhancing the duty on finished MS rod. Mr Bashirullah also demanded an exemption of pre-shipment inspection in importing raw materials for the steel industry.

The Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA) also proposed a cut in import duties on cement clinker, fly ash and slag.

Meanwhile the Bangladeshi government is looking to formulate a well-coordinated and balanced budget for the fiscal 2009-10 where no sector will be deprived. "We want to confirm that giving facility to a sector will not deprive another one," Mr Mazid said. He added that the philosophy for the budget is to facilitate employment and the eradication of poverty.

"The government will formulate a balanced budget that will facilitate all sectors towards achieving the philosophy of the budget." hw saud.

Source: The New Nation

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