new Special merchandise taxes have been imposed on 5 types of goods are false.

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Making, Planning and Tourism responds to the false media reports that the government has imposed new special merchandise taxes on 5 types of essential commodities.

Accordingly, the period of the gazette notification issued on October 14, 2023, in which the special commodity tax was implemented, ended on October 13. It has been extended through a gazette announcement to 31st December.

But the government has not imposed a new tax. The subsidized tax of 25 cents for imported dhal has also been implemented.

With the aim of protecting the local fishing industry as well as fruit cultivation and taking into account the foreign exchange, the tax rates for the other 4 types of goods have been extended in the same way.

Normally, a gazette notification under this act is extended for one year, but the period has been extended only until the 31st of December, focusing on a formal study of these taxes.