The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced a three-year extension of reduced tax benefits for jute goods manufacturers until the fiscal year 2025-26. According to the recent notification, jute goods makers will continue to enjoy a corporate tax rate of 10 percent, significantly lower than the 27.5 percent rate applicable to non-listed companies.
This extension aims to support the struggling jute industry, responding to an appeal from the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA), citing a consistent decline in jute and jute goods exports due to decreasing demand in major markets. The tax benefit, initially granted to boost the industry, expired in the fiscal year 2022-23. During the July-October period of the current fiscal year 2023-24, jute and jute goods exports fell by 11 percent year-on-year to $289.70 million, as reported by the Export Promotion Bureau.