Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Footwear Manufacturers Association has strongly demanded the reinstatement of the 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption at the production and supply stages for rubber-made flip-flops and plastic footwear priced up to Tk 150 per pair.
At a press conference held on Tuesday in the capital, the association leaders said that maintaining the 15% VAT on plastic and rubber-made flip-flops and basic shoes priced under Tk 150 has caused a collapse in the small-scale footwear industry.
The price hike has led to reduced sales and production, resulting in job losses and distress among workers. Taking advantage of the situation, cheap imported shoes-especially from India-are grabbing the market, pushing the local industry into an existential crisis.
The press conference took place at the DRU auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Present at the event were Mohammad Fazlu, President of the Bangladesh Footwear Manufacturers Association; Ashraf Uddin, Vice President; Imrul Kayes, Secretary; and member Zaherul Islam.
