NOAB demands tax and duty reforms to save newspaper industry

The Newspapers Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has called for reforms in tax and duty policies to protect the newspaper industry. The rise of various digital platforms and the unstoppable progress of other media have put the newspaper industry in a difficult situation.

A K Azad, the president of NOAB, made these statements during the pre-budget discussion for the fiscal year 2025-26 at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka on Sunday.

He said, "The current global economic situation, especially the increasing exchange rate of the dollar, has crippled this industry. The government has not accepted any of our proposals for the development of the newspaper industry in recent years. We hope our proposals will be considered in this year’s budget."

"The newspaper industry is declared as a service industry by the government. Apart from journalists, many people, including those in printing, marketing, distribution, and advertising, depend on this industry. For its continued growth and management, significant reforms in tax and duty policies are necessary," he added.

In the proposal, he requested reducing the import duty on newsprint to 2% (currently 5%), reducing VAT from 15% to 5%, reducing advance income tax (AIT) from 5% to a minimum of 1%, and considering the newspaper industry as a service industry to set the corporate tax rate at the lowest or eliminate it altogether. He also mentioned that until the NBR's capacity increases, corruption decreases, and automation is implemented, the tax-to-GDP ratio will not improve.

Former president and editor of Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman, said, "For the past 16 years, we have not received any support from the government in the newspaper industry. On the contrary, we have been attacked, and in many cases, advertisements have been blocked. We hope for justice during the current non-political government's time."

At the meeting, NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan assured that NOAB’s proposals would be considered. He said, "The media is actively promoting awareness to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio and tax rates." He also assured that the proposals, including reducing advance income tax (AIT) and advance tax (AT), would be considered.