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US and Iran Signal Peace Deal

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  US and Iran Signal Peace Deal Is Near as Tehran Claims Victory The United States and Iran signaled on Friday that they are close to reaching an agreement to end their conflict, with a senior U.S. administration official saying both sides have agreed on a draft text and that Washington expects an initial deal to be signed within days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said some details remain under discussion but argued that the tentative agreement demonstrates Iran’s strength following the war. “Iran is the winner of the war with the U.S.,” Araqchi said in an interview on state television. According to sources involved in the negotiations, the proposed memorandum of understanding would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. Talks on Iran’s nuclear program—the issue cited by U.S. President Donald Trump as the reason for launching military action—would continue after the agreement takes effect. A senior U.S. official, speaking on conditio...
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Budget 2026–27

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Products Likely to Become More Expensive or Cheaper Under the Proposed Budget

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has presented the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in parliament, marking the first budget of the current BNP government.

The budget was unveiled at around 3:00 pm on Thursday. It includes a series of tax and duty adjustments that are expected to affect the prices of various products and services. While tax reductions on many items could lower consumer prices, higher duties and taxes on others may lead to price increases. The proposed tax measures take effect immediately upon their announcement.

An overall assessment suggests that more products are receiving tax relief than facing tax increases.

Products Likely to Become More Expensive

Cigarettes

The finance minister has proposed raising the minimum retail price of cigarettes across all tiers. The minimum price per 10 sticks has been set at Tk 62 for low-tier brands, Tk 92 for medium-tier brands, Tk 160 for high-tier brands, and Tk 210 for premium brands. Consequently, cigarette prices are expected to rise.

In addition, nicotine granules and nicotine pouches have been classified as highly harmful to public health, and a supplementary duty of 350 percent has been proposed on these products.

Fuel-Powered Vehicles

To discourage the use of environmentally harmful vehicles powered by diesel, petrol, and octane, the government has proposed increasing the tax burden on imported internal combustion engine vehicles with engine capacities between 1,200cc and 1,600cc from 132.36 percent to approximately 156 percent. This is expected to raise vehicle prices.

Imported Cashew Nuts

Import duties on both raw and processed cashew nuts have been increased to encourage local cultivation and production. Duties on raw and processed cashews have been raised from 1 percent and 5 percent, respectively, to 25 percent. However, domestic producers importing raw cashews will enjoy a reduced duty rate of 15 percent. Imported cashew nuts are therefore likely to become more expensive.

Imported Pangas Fillets

A supplementary duty of 20 percent has been imposed on imported pangas fish fillets to protect local fish-processing industries, which may lead to higher prices.

Imported LPG Cylinders

Value-added tax (VAT) has been imposed at the import stage on composite LPG cylinders, potentially increasing their market prices.

Imported Honey

The minimum customs valuation for imported natural honey has been increased by $2 to $7 per unit, resulting in higher import duties and taxes and likely pushing up retail prices.

Imported Betel Nuts

The minimum customs valuation for imported betel nuts has been raised by $0.25 per unit, increasing the tax burden on imports.

Imported Food Products

Customs valuation rates have been increased for sugar confectionery, coffee, prepared foods, and similar products, leading to higher import taxes and duties.

Lip Liners and Lip Gels

The customs valuation for imported lip liners, lip gels, and similar cosmetic products has been increased, making them more expensive.

Steel Rods

VAT on several raw materials used in steel rod manufacturing has been increased, which may result in higher rod prices.

Other Products

Prices of imported tiles, sanitary ware, basins, foam products, microwave ovens, bicycles and bicycle parts, toys, and several other imported goods may rise because of higher duties, taxes, and customs valuations.

Products Likely to Become Cheaper

Sixty Essential Commodities

The government has proposed reducing source tax rates on 60 essential commodities—including paddy, rice, wheat, potatoes, livestock, poultry, fish, onions, garlic, ginger, salt, sugar, edible oil, and seeds—to a uniform 0.5 percent from existing rates of 5 percent, 2 percent, and 1 percent.

According to the finance minister, the move fulfills an election commitment and is aimed at easing the burden on consumers following years of high inflation.

Baby Food

Import duty on ingredients used in baby food production has been reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. The government expects this measure to lower baby food prices.

Cumin, Cinnamon and Other Spices

The existing 5 percent regulatory duty on spices such as cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, and coriander has been completely withdrawn, creating room for price reductions.

Dates

The 5 percent regulatory duty on imported dates has been abolished, which may reduce prices.

Gold Jewellery

The source tax on gold supply has been reduced from 5 percent to 0.5 percent. Under the previous rate, VAT on gold worth Tk 250,000 amounted to Tk 12,500. Under the new rate, the tax burden falls to Tk 2,500 per bhori, potentially lowering prices.

Electric Vehicles

The budget introduces significant incentives for electric vehicles (EVs), creating opportunities for substantial price reductions.

The tax burden on EVs valued up to US$25,000 has been reduced from 93 percent to 64 percent, while EVs priced up to US$50,000 will face a reduced tax burden of 80 percent. Incentives have also been introduced for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), while taxes related to vehicle registration and renewal have been lowered.

Additional concessions have been granted on batteries and equipment used in EV charging stations.

Laptops and Computers

All import duties, regulatory duties, supplementary duties, and VAT on laptops, desktop computers, servers, printers, and computer monitors have been withdrawn, making these products more affordable.

Kidney Dialysis Services

The government has withdrawn the 15 percent VAT and 5 percent advance income tax on imported dialysis filters. According to the finance minister, this could reduce the cost of each dialysis session by up to Tk 800.

Medicines

Several tax concessions have been provided for pharmaceutical raw materials. Special incentives have also been introduced for importing nine new raw materials used in cancer drug manufacturing, which may help lower production costs.

Musical Instruments

The existing 5 percent regulatory duty on guitars, pianos, violins, other musical instruments, and their parts has been abolished.

Import duty on cinematographic cameras and parts for cinematographic cameras and projectors has also been reduced from 15 percent to 5 percent.

Other Products

Prices of imported meat, animal feed, point-of-sale (POS) machines, solar power equipment, lipsticks, face-wash products, and several other imported goods may decline due to reduced duties, taxes, and revised customs valuations.

This version is structured in a professional news-report style with improved flow, clarity, and readability.

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