Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA) has called on the government to lower customs duties on key raw materials, including clinker, used in the cement industry. The association also requested a reduction in the time taken for limestone sample testing. Currently, the main raw materials for cement production, which are mostly imported, face excessive taxation, surpassing their actual import costs. For instance, clinker is imported at a price range of $46 to $50 per ton, but customs authorities impose a tariff of $60 per ton, leading to higher expenses for traders. Similarly, other raw materials, such as slag, limestone, fly ash, and gypsum, also face higher tariff rates. BCMA proposed setting the tariff prices at $50 for clinker, $26 for slag, $19 for limestone, $30 for fly ash, and $30 for gypsum per ton to alleviate the industry’s crisis. Additionally, the limestone sample testing process has significant delays, causing further financial strain on traders.
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