Bangladesh exempts VAT on PPE, mask production

The government has exempted VAT on Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and surgical masks (including face masks) at the production, businessmen and supplier level to prevent and control the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NBR issued an SRO in this regard yesterday mentioning that such facility will continue till 30 June.

The revenue board said all the health workers including physicians and nurses need to wear standard PPEs and masks to provide treatment to the COVID-19 affected patients.

Besides, there could be a need for a huge number of PPEs and masks in the near future since COVID-19 has spread to community transmission level.

That is why VAT has been withdrawn on such products due to national interest.

Earlier on 22 March, the government exempted all kinds of import duty on the necessary health safety equipment like PPEs to prevent and control this deadly virus.