NBR restores 3.0pc tariff rate on telecom software import
Thursday, 27 November 2008
FE Report
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has restored the tariff rate of three per cent on import of telecommunications software replacing the recently imposed 44 per cent duty.
The NBR took the move after local cell phone operators urged the revenue board to alter its decision on the change of tariff code that caused the hike in the import duty.
The cell phone operators' associations -- AMTOB -- said the country's cell phone growth will hamper due to higher import duty on the component, which is important for the operation of mobile phone network.
The decision of the revenue board on cancellation of its decision on tariff code change was communicated to the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and cell phone operators through a letter issued on November 24.
"We express our sincere gratitude to the NBR for reviewing its decision," said an official of Warid Telecom International.
The imported software is an integral part of basic hardware/network equipment such as BSC, MSC, BSS, OSS, and BTS since the equipment can neither be installed nor function without the relevant software.
The decision will help achieve the much-expected growth in the sector through expanding connectivity in rural areas, he added.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has restored the tariff rate of three per cent on import of telecommunications software replacing the recently imposed 44 per cent duty.
The NBR took the move after local cell phone operators urged the revenue board to alter its decision on the change of tariff code that caused the hike in the import duty.
The cell phone operators' associations -- AMTOB -- said the country's cell phone growth will hamper due to higher import duty on the component, which is important for the operation of mobile phone network.
The decision of the revenue board on cancellation of its decision on tariff code change was communicated to the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and cell phone operators through a letter issued on November 24.
"We express our sincere gratitude to the NBR for reviewing its decision," said an official of Warid Telecom International.
The imported software is an integral part of basic hardware/network equipment such as BSC, MSC, BSS, OSS, and BTS since the equipment can neither be installed nor function without the relevant software.
The decision will help achieve the much-expected growth in the sector through expanding connectivity in rural areas, he added.